Himachal Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh faces ire of apple orchardists

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 3

Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh today faced the ire of apple growers, who gheraoed his car at Theog.

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The development came in the wake of remarks by the minister that apple growers must not use boxes and cartons, but sell their produce in crates. Mahender Singh was accompanied by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar and Chopal BJP MLA Balbir Verma. Verma tried to pacify the growers but they refused to let go and expressed resentment against the policies of the government. The growers stood in front of the vehicle of the minister while he was on his way to the Parala marketing yard.

The growers, including representatives of the Kisan Morcha, the Congress and the CPM gheraoed the vehicle of the ministers, while people resorted to sloganeering.