New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose a ban on apple imports from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

He also discussed the state's proposal to share the cost of Kangra Airport expansion equally with the Centre, and sought financial assistance amid ongoing reforms.

Speaking to the mediapersons following the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting, Sukhu said, '...I spoke to PM Modi that the prices of our orchards fall due to imported apples, which causes losses. I also requested that a ban be imposed on apples from Turkey and Azerbaijan. He said that he would see to it that the import of apples does not cause orchardists of Himachal Pradesh to suffer losses... I also spoke to him about the expansion of Kangra Airport, and that 50 per cent of the expansion cost will be covered by us while the remaining 50 per cent by the centre.'

Raising environmental concerns, Sukhu told the Planning Commission that Himachal's 68 per cent forest land and 28 per cent forest cover had been overlooked in Finance Commission parameters, adding that the cold deserts in the region were not being recognised as forest land, thereby depriving the state of its fair dues.

He further added, 'I also said that our power projects, which receive loan waivers, should pay 50 per cent royalty to the state... I told him that our state is undergoing some reforms, so our financial condition is not good. So the state should be given some financial assistance... I told the Planning Commission that our forest land is 68 per cent, and our forest cover is 28 per cent. We have not been done justice in the parameters set by the Finance Commission. In the Niti Aayog meeting, we raised this point that our cold deserts are not counted as forest land...'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday.

It was attended by Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors representing 24 States and 7 UTs. This year's theme was Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047. The meeting commenced with a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI)