JK: No entry tax on outgoing fruit laden trucks

Srinagar, Sep 6: Jammu and Kashmir government in a significant decision to boost horticulture sector, decided to exempt Entry Tax (ET) on all out going fruit laden trucks from the Kashmir Valley.

Decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting held here to device ways and means for adequate availability of transportation of fruit from the State to other terminal markets of the country.

The exemption will be available also from other parts of the state from October to December 2007, which is peak fruit harvesting period.

This decision will provide benefit of about Rs 1.75 crore to the transporters and fruit growers of the state, Minister for Transport Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen said.

It was decided that each truck loaded shall carry 9 metric tons of fruit while as each truck will be weighed at newly set up weigh bridge at Lower Manda on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

This step will check ''Palti System'' (Transshipment) of fruit at Lakhanpur which otherwise causes great inconvenience to transporters and fruit growers and causes damages to the fruits.

It was also decided that the fruit loaded trucks from the Valley would be allowed to cross Jawahar Tunnel upto 1200 hours while as Lakhanpur Toll Post will remain open round the clock for fruit loaded trucks from various parts of the State.

However, government would take stern action against fake and unregistered transport agencies for fleecing fruit growers in the garb of shortage of trucks during peak fruit season.

Flying squads would be deployed to check the activities of the unregistered and fake transport agencies.

The Minister asked the concerned authorities to take concrete measures to check the transshipment at Lakhanpur which not only causes losses to the state exchequer but also tells upon the quality of fruit because of unnecessary loading and unloading.

Minister for Horticulture and PHE Mohammad Dilwara Mir suggested that registration should be accorded to only those transport agencies which are genuine.

He said possibilities will also be explored to arrange apple special train service for transportation of fruit from Jammu Railway head to Azadpur fruit market.

UNI