Himachal Pradesh CM announces panel to look into apple growers' grievances

Shimla, July 28

Following a meeting with apple growers to discuss their demands and grievances, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has ordered the constitution of a committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, to check the ‘exploitation’ of horticulturalists by traders, private CA store owners and others at various levels.

Even as the apple growers welcomed the decision, they have decided not to cancel their scheduled gherao of the Secretariat on August 5 over their demands. “The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere, and we welcome the formation of a committee.

However, the scheduled gherao of the Secretariat will not be cancelled. The committee has over a week to consider the demand charter we have submitted,” said Sanjay Chauhan, co-convenor of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch, under which various apple organisations are raising apple-related issues and challenges.

“It has been felt that apple growers were being exploited at different levels. Thus, the committee would look into the matter,” said the Chief Minister. The statement, even if made in view of the upcoming elections, should mollify apple growers.

The Chief Minister further said that his government would give six per cent subsidy (to compensate for the 6 per cent increase in the GST rate on cartons) on the purchase of cartons from the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) from July 15 onwards.

“The HPMC would be given a grant of Rs 10 crore for the purpose,” the Chief Minister said.

The apple growers, however, are opposed to the idea. “The subsidy should be given across the board, otherwise it would be discriminatory. Also, many growers have already bought the packaging material and many have placed orders from where they normally buy. So, the government should work out a mechanism where the subsidy is available to everyone, regardless of the fact from where he is buying the cartons,” said MLA Theog Rakesh Singha.

Normally, the HPMC sells less than one per cent of the total cartons sold in a season, but this time it is gearing up to sell a lot more to offer the benefit of rebate to maximum growers.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also assured the growers that the government would sympathetically consider constituting a Horticulture Board for the welfare of the horticulturists. Besides, he also urged the horticulturists to form cooperatives for establishing CA stores and availing the benefits of various schemes.

“Efforts would be made to clear the pending liabilities of the horticulturists and the authorities concerned would look into the matter of collection of taxes/charges levied at various barriers,” the Chief Minister said.

Horticulture Board likely

• The Chief Minister also assured the growers that the government would sympathetically consider constituting a Horticulture Board for the welfare of the horticulturists
• Besides, he also urged the horticulturists to form cooperatives for establishing CA stores and availing the benefits of various schemes