1,300 apple plants of Horticulture Department stolen from Nahan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 10

Some of the imported planting material of the Horticulture Department has been stolen, besides withering due to diseases. According to sources, around 1,300 plants, which were part of the consignment imported from the USA a few months ago, have been stolen from the department’s Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) site at Nahan. “Some plants have been stolen from our Shirumila PEQ site at Nahan. An FIR has been lodged and the police are probing the matter,” said an official.

According to the sources, around 15,000 plants are being planted at the Nahan site. The plants were stolen while planting was underway.

Harish Chauhan, president of the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Growers Association of Himachal Pradesh, said that it was sad that plants were withering away because of diseases and were also being stolen. He added that the incident should be probed.

“It’s possible that plants are being sold illegally and covered up by citing the mortality rate,” alleged Chauhan.

“To get to the bottom of the matter, an inquiry should be done to see

how many plants were imported under the World Bank-funded project and their current status. In case it is found that these are being sold illegally, strict action should be taken against both seller and buyer,” he said.