A Committee would be constituted headed by the Chief Secretary to check exploitation of horticulturists by the traders, private CA store owners and others at various levels, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Thursday.
Presiding over a meeting with representatives of fruit growers Association and line departments of the State Government regarding apple season-2022, Thakur said that the apple economy of the State was worth about Rs. 5000 crore and was a major contributor in the State's GDP. He said that it has been felt that apple growers were being exploited at different levels thus the committee would look into the matter which would have Additional Chief Secretary Finance, Principal Secretary Excise and Taxation, Secretaries Agriculture and Horticulture as its members besides representatives of various farmers Associations.
Thakur said that to provide relief to the orchardists and fruit growers, the State Government has decided to give a 6 percent subsidy on purchase of package material i.e. cartons and trays sold through HPMC with effect from July 15. The HPMC would be given a grant of Rs. 10 crore in this regard, he added.
The Chief Minister said that efforts would be made to clear the pending liabilities of the horticulturists and also asked the authorities concerned to look into the matter of collection of taxes/charges levied at various barriers.
He said that the Government would also consider sympathetically regarding the constitution of the Horticulture Board for welfare of the horticulturists of the State and also urged the horticulturists to form cooperatives for establishing CA stores and also for availing the benefits of various schemes. He said that the State Government has increased the MIS procurement of the apple from Rs. 7.50 to Rs. 10.50 per kg during the tenure of the present State Government.
Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur, MLA Chopal Balbir Verma, MLA Theog Rakesh Singha and former Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Sanjay Chauhan and other progressive fruit growers gave their suggestions on the occasion.
President H.P. Fruit Growers Association Harish Chauhan urged the Chief Minister to sympathetically consider various issues pertaining to the welfare of the horticulturists.