In the Kashmir Valley, fruit growers and traders have expressed concerns regarding the practices of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) and cold storage facility owners. Allegations have been made against these owners for imposing exorbitant rates for various services such as cardboard boxes, storage, tape, and bin/crate charges.
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers (KVFG) Union has accused CA/cold store owners of forcing the purchase of inferior quality cardboard boxes at inflated prices, despite the availability of better quality options at lower rates in the open market. Furthermore, the union has criticized the arbitrary storage charges and practices imposed by JKPICCA owners, including the requirement to store apple produce for a minimum of five months. Despite attempts to negotiate a new agreement to establish fair rates and norms, the KVFG Union claims JKPICCA has not responded. The union has appealed to the government for intervention, requesting the return of excessive charges and the formation of a regulatory committee to establish fair storage rates and practices. Additionally, they seek the freedom to procure packing materials from preferred sources.
Source: greaterkashmir.com