HP Govt aims to continue exploitative regime selling overweight apple cartons

Shimla, July 4 – Rejecting demands of Commission agents and farmer leaders belonging to the BJP, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that the government would not allow the exploitation of apple Growers by continuing to allow overweight cartons in the markets.
Responding to media queries, the Minister said that under the pressure of middleman and motivated farmer leaders, efforts are being made to continue the exploitative regime of selling overweight cartons from 25 to 32 kilogrammes.
He said that the government could not allow such exploitation of Farmers in the interest of small and marginal apple growers, and it was for the implementation of the universal carton approved by the government in 2013.
The minister said that apples would be sold based on weight (per kilogramme), and the government would also reconsider the ceiling of 24 kg after meeting with the officials on Wednesday.
He said that the government would decide soon if apples of a weight of 24 kg or more in the box or crate would be sold according to their weight. He said that apple season has started in the state, and for the first time, apples are being sold in the Apple Market based on kilogrammes.
Replying about the packing of a 24 kg apple carton, the minister said that according to universal grading, more than 24 kg of apple does not come in boxes, but because this is the first year of sale based on kg, now the gardeners are selling in crates other than boxes of 24 kg or more.
The minister said Farmers could bring apples in any packing; however, they would be sold based on kg only.
He said that some people are opposing the new system of universal cartons and ending the exploitation of apple growers by ending the sale of overweight telescopic cartons and spreading misconceptions.
He said that for the first time in the state, apples are being sold based on weight, so the growers are worried and there is confusion.
He said that apples will be sold in the market according to their weight, whether the gardeners bring packs of 5 kg, 24 kg, or more.
Some farmers who are coming into the market with packings of 24 kg apple boxes complain that Commission agents are indulgent in illegal weight deductions from 24 kg to 22 kg.
Jagat Singh Negi said that the government had decided to impose a ceiling of 24 kg considering the public interest; if there is a need for amendment, then the government is ready for that, and a decision would be taken after discussing with the officials in the meeting to be held tomorrow.
The Congress party is continuing its attack on the Narendra Modi government at the centre for reducing Apple import duty on foreign apples from 70 per cent to 50 per cent, but a few BJP leaders did not miss the opportunity to oppose the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government for the implementation of universal cartons and the sale of apples based on weight.
Interesting middlemen and Commission agents who are not in favour of universal cartons are indirectly supporting BJP leaders opposing the new system of Apple marketing.