Apple Controversy: Politics turns ‘red’ on American apple, ruckus from Himachal to Kashmir, government gave clarification after protest

US Apples Controversy: Congress has strongly opposed the Indian government’s decision to remove additional duty on the import of American apples before the G20 summit. The Commerce Ministry has presented its clarification on the criticism of the government’s decision. The Ministry has said in its clarification that this decision will not have any impact on the trade of local traders. The government has said in its clarification that only the addition duty has been abolished, while the base duty of 50 percent has been retained despite less import of American apples. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has said that MFN duty of 50 per cent and 100 per cent on US apples and walnuts will continue to be applicable as only the additional 20 per cent duty has been removed. The MFN rate of Rs 100 per kg will remain applicable on American almonds, only the additional MFN rate of Rs 20 per kg has been removed.

Piyush Goyal said this

On the Centre’s decision to exempt 20 per cent customs duty on apples imported from America, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has also said that to support the production of apples in the country, the Modi government has imposed heavy import duty on apples. A few months ago, we had also set a minimum import price for apples. In response to the sanctions imposed on India by the US, which had reduced our exports, we had imposed retaliatory duty on apples.

Here, Commerce Ministry’s Additional Secretary Piyush Kumar has said that only American additional rates have been removed. The basic customs duty rate applicable on apples will continue to be 50 percent. We have seven countries that bring apples. When we raised this additional duty against America, one loss that America suffered was that they lost some markets which were taken by other countries. The ministry has said that this decision of the government will see competition in the premium segment of apples, walnuts and almonds, due to which good quality products will be available to domestic consumers at better prices.

It is noteworthy that in the year 2019, the Indian government had decided to impose additional duty of 20 percent on American apples, walnuts and almonds. The Indian government took this step after America increased the tariff on Indian steel and aluminum products. In this context, it is being told that the government has currently withdrawn Indian steel aluminum products after promising to give them access to the American market. However, the Ministry has said that this will not make any difference to Indian producers.

Government should reconsider the decision- Congress
Here, Congress claimed on Tuesday that while giving a gift to America, the government has decided to reduce the import duty on American apples from 70 percent to 15 percent. Congress said that this decision will help the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Gardeners and farmers will be adversely affected. This is a move to crack down on gardeners and farmers. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinet also said that the government should reconsider this decision in the interest of Indian farmers and gardeners. Talking to the media, Shrinate said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he used to say that he would impose 100 percent import duty on foreign apples. But now there are reports that Modi ji has decided to reduce the import duty on American apples to 15 percent which earlier used to be 70 percent.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinet said that PM Modi is doing injustice to more than 5 lakh apple farmers of Himachal Pradesh by reducing the import duty on Washington apples. He also said that when PM Modi was not the Prime Minister, he used to say that Himachal was his second home and 100 percent import duty would be imposed on Washington apples. But when he became the PM, according to reports, during the G20, the central government decided that only 15 percent import duty would be imposed on Washington apples, which was once 70 percent.

Priyanka asked questions to the central government
Here, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has also raised questions on the Central Government’s decision to exempt 20 percent customs duty on apples imported from America. Priyanka said that this will make it easier to import American apples and they will be sold easily. The purchase price of apple production in Shimla has been reduced by the big industrialists. Priyanka said that when apple growers are suffering here, who should be helped? Theirs, or the farmers of America.

Omar Abdullah appealed to reconsider
Here, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Monday appealed to the Center to reconsider its decision to remove additional duty on apples, walnuts and almonds imported from America, saying that the government should try to please its own people instead of pleasing foreigners. Should try. In this context, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has said that they will soon protest on this issue. He said that the Central Government did not think about what effect this would have on the farmers of the country.