Srinagar, Oct 22: In a significant development ahead of the upcoming Assembly session, Hilal Akbar Lone, MLA from Sonawari, has submitted a private member’s resolution seeking the waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for fruit growers in Jammu and Kashmir. The move aims to provide relief to the region’s horticulture sector, which has been reeling under economic stress due to losses caused by weather disruptions, low market rates, and rising input costs.
As per an official communication issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the resolution has been formally admitted by the Hon’ble Speaker in accordance with Rule 179 read with Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly. The balloting process for private members’ resolutions is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Office Chambers of the Secretary Assembly.
Lone’s resolution calls for the complete waiver of KCC loans availed by fruit growers, many of whom are struggling to repay their debts due to a prolonged economic slump in the horticulture sector. “Thousands of farmers have been burdened by increasing loan liabilities. A waiver will give them breathing space and help revive rural economies dependent on horticulture,” sources close to the MLA said.
The fruit industry, particularly apple growers in north Kashmir and parts of south Kashmir, has been facing successive years of distress due to unpredictable weather patterns, blocked transport corridors, reduced demand, and competition from imported produce. Growers say their incomes have shrunk drastically, leaving them unable to repay KCC loans.
Economic experts note that a loan waiver could significantly ease rural financial stress but also emphasize the need for parallel measures to strengthen the sector, including better market access, storage infrastructure, and insurance cover for crops.
The resolution, if supported and passed in the Assembly, may put pressure on the administration to work out a comprehensive relief package for farmers. It also sets the stage for a politically charged debate in the coming session, as multiple legislators are expected to back the demand.
This development comes just a day before the start of the seven-day Assembly session in Srinagar, which is already being described as one of the most politically sensitive sessions in recent years. The plight of the fruit sector and farmer distress are expected to feature prominently in the proceedings.
