Universal Carton to Be Used for Apple Packaging in Himachal Pradesh

Starting next year, Himachal Pradesh will implement the use of universal cartons for apple packaging, completely banning telescopic cartons. According to the standards set by universal grading, orchard owners will have to use 24-kilogram cartons for larger apples and 12-kilogram cartons for smaller ones.

This matter was raised during the Monsoon session of the State Assembly by Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore on Saturday.

In response, the Revenue and Horticulture Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, explained that to protect orchard owners from the exploitation by middlemen, the government had implemented the sale of apples based on weight for this season. The system allows orchard owners to sell apples at rates ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 per kilogram.

Additionally, stringent penalties of up to Rs. 22 lakhs have been imposed on those violating the rules. The use of telescopic cartons allowed middlemen to forcefully fill extra apples for their benefit, which will not be possible with universal cartons. In the interest of orchard owners, the government has decided to make the use of universal cartons mandatory from next year.