MLAs slam Himachal Govt for plunging apple rates

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 14

In the wake of apple procurement prices of Adani Agrifresh Limited slipping to its lowest in over a decade, the Congress and CPM MLAs from Shimla’s apple growing areas have slammed the government for failing to check the plunging rates. They have also termed the government-appointed committee to supervise the procurement prices of CA stores a “mute spectator”.

In the latest reduction, Adani Agrifresh has reduced the price of premium apple to Rs 60 per kg. The rates have gone down by Rs 16 per kg from the opening rate of Rs 76. “It’s the lowest rates offered by Adani Agrifresh in 12 years. Surprisingly, the rates have nosedived right in front of the government committee,” said Sanyukt Kisan Manch convener Harish Chauhan.

Lowest rates in 12 yrs

It’s the lowest rates offered by Adani Agrifresh in 12 years. Surprisingly, the rates have nosedived right in front of the government committee. —Harish Chauhan, convener, SKM

Rohit Thakur, Congress MLA from Jubbal-Kotkhai, said the committee has proved to be an utter failure. “Even as private CA stores are slashing rates frequently, the committee is merely watching it like a mute spectator. The fall in rates is worrisome,” he said.

Rakesh Singha, CPM MLA from Theog-Kumarsain, accused the government of not having the political will to stand with the apple growers. “The committee is merely an eyewash. If the government had the political will, there were already enough existing laws through which the government could have reined in the market forces and ensured remunerative price to the growers. Unfortunately, the government is more interested in ensuring that the corporates gained,” said Singha.

Singha further claimed that many growers were selling their produce at private CA stores out of compulsion. “So bad has the situation become for small growers that they are not able bear the expenditure on packaging material. So, they simply sell it at private CA stores where apple is sold in crates and hence they don’t have to pay for packaging material,” said Singha.

Meanwhile, Mohan Lal Brakta, Congress MLA from Rohru, slammed the government for being indifferent to the plight of the growers. “The poor rates have broken the back of the growers, especially of the small and marginal farmers. If the government continues to be a mute spectator, a majority of the growers will find it tough to sustain,” said Brakta.

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