Seek fair price of apples, want exploitation of farmers to stop
Shimla | TNR
Apple growers in the state, demoralised over the falling price of their product, have decided to launch an agitation from September 13 under the banner of United Farmers’ Manch.
A meeting was held here on Monday in which a strategy was formulated by 13 farmers’ organisations and apple growers.
The meeting decided that if the government failed to intervene and take corrective measures then a dharna would be staged at block, tehsil and sub-division levels in the state on September 13. On September 26 demonstrations would be held on a bigger scale. The meeting was attended by all factions of apple growers, Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh, Theog MLA (CPM) Rakesh Singha and BJP leader Neelam Sarek.
Apple price reduced to benefit Adani : Singha
Communist leader and MLA Rakesh Singha criticised the statement by Urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj that the price of apples has fallen due to the demand and supply gap. He alleged that the government was engineering the law prices to benefit the Adani company. He said that the APMC Act could not prevent the exploitation of apple growers, many of who have not received payments for the past two or three years whereas under the Act payment has to be made immediately after the sale of products.
Congress supports apple growers
MLA Vikramaditya Singh of Congress said that his party supports the apple growers. He said that the government should regulate prices and criticised Urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj for his misleading statement.
Livelihood under threat
BJP leader Neelam Sarek said that the falling prices of apple mean that the livelihoods of many would be under threat. She said that apple growers should unite and take up the issue of getting a fair price for their product.
Minimum sale price sought
Manch convener Harish Chauhan raised issues related to the minimum sale price of Rs 24, 44 and 60 on the pattern of Kashmir, preventing exploitation of farmers and apple growers, open auction and stopping extortion of farmers and apple growers in mandis.
 | ReplyForward |
