S P O T L I G H T

Support price for citrus fruits announced
Tribune News Service
SHIMLA, Nov 16 — The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today approved a support price of Rs 4.35 per kg for orange, kinnow and malta in utter violation of the model election code. The support price of Rs 2.60 per kg has been fixed for galgal. It is learnt that the support price was approved this afternoon when the model election code had come into force. Highly placed sources said that a support price of Rs 4.35 per kg will be for the “B” grade orange, kinnow and malta, and for the “C” grade Rs 3.75 per kg. Sources said that the support price for citrus fruit has been frozen at the last year’s level. Citrus fruits are cultivated mostly in the districts of Kangra, Chamba, Una, Hamirpur, Solan, Kulu and Sirmour. It is learnt that 1000 tonnes of orange, kinnow and malta will be procured by the HPMC, Himfed and the Agro Industries Corporation. About 1200 tonnes of galgal will also be procured under the market intervention scheme.