Shimla, March 31 -- Raising serious concerns over the impact of proposed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries including the United States, European Union and New Zealand, Congress MLA and AICC spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore on Monday moved a resolution in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha recommending that the government formulate a comprehensive policy to protect the state's apple and fruit growers.

The resolution, introduced on the 14th day of the ongoing Budget Session, highlighted the potential threat posed by reduced import duties under bilateral trade agreements and their likely adverse impact on over 1.5 lakh apple-growing families in the state.

Addressing the House, Rathore said, "This is not merely a matter of trade ...