Ending the confusion on the sale of apples, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday said all fruits especially apples would be sold as per weight (kgs) and not as per boxes and arthiyas (commission agents).
Negi also stated that those violating the norms would face strict action. "Strict action would be taken against those not following the said norms and licenses of arthiyas would be cancelled and they would be chucked out of the Mandis' (fruit markets) in case of violation," he said during his address to the media persons here.
Inviting people from different states to come to Himachal Pradesh and purchase apples, he said that licenses would be given to people willing to deal in apples as the government wants to end the monopoly.
He informed that the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing & Processing Corporation (HPMC) would also buy apples in Parala, Parwanoo and Solan mandis. Referring to the issue raised by the arthiyas that it is not possible to weigh the produce as there is no space, he said that the state government is willing to give newly constructed mandis in Parwanoo and Parala besides newly constructed mandi at Solan along with 10 bigha of land to accommodate the arthiyas.