Demand end to arbitrariness of brokers, private companies in mandis
Shimla | TNR
Dharnas and demonstrations would be organised by farmers and growers of Himachal seeking minimum support price for apples on the lines of the system followed in Kashmir.
Demonstrations would be staged at block, tehsil and district headquarters level on the all of United Farmers Manch.
List of demands
The agitation would be to pressurise the government to stop the exploitation of farmers and growers in mandis, the arbitrariness of private companies running CA store, payment to them as per APMC rules, deciding price of apples through open auction and declaring MSP for all products in the state.
The growers are demanding MSP in three price ranges of Rs 24, Rs 44 and Rs 60 for apples. The Manch has threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands are not considered.
MIS scheme of Kashmir sought
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has asked the state’s agriculture secretary to submit a report on the MIS scheme in vogue in Kashmir.
Apples were being purchased through NAFED in Kashmir after the removal of Article 357.
This MIS scheme was successful in 2019 but in 2020 less quantity of apples were bought under this scheme by NAFED.
