Apple cartons above 22 Kg to be confiscated: Himachal Minister

To reinforce fair trade practices and streamline the apple transportation process this season, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Thursday announced that the fruit must be weighed only in standard 22-kg universal cartons. “Any produce packed in cartons exceeding this limit would be confiscated and strict penalties, including challans, will be imposed on violators”, Negi stated in a press conference here.

In a high-level meeting with stakeholders in the horticulture sector, the Minister also suggested that apple growers form cooperative societies modelled on successful European frameworks to boost their collective bargaining power and enhance market presence. To manage the expected rush during peak season, the Minister called for a well-devised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by the police for efficient traffic movement across apple producing regions.

The meeting saw vocal concerns from horticulture representatives over reduced import duties on apples, which they claimed could adversely affect domestic apple growers by flooding the market with cheaper imports. They urged the state government to strongly take up the matter with the central government. Reassuring stakeholders, Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the state government is committed to protecting the interests of apple and stone fruit growers and would provide full support to mitigate challenges in the sector.

The meeting was attended by MLAs Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Anuradha Rana, and Mohan Lal Brakta, along with APMC Shimla-Kinnaur Chairman Devanand Verma, Secretary Horticulture C. Palrasu, Director Vinay Singh, DC Solan Manmohan Sharma, and MD of the State Agricultural Marketing Board Hemis Negi.

Prominent farmer leaders, including Joint Farmers Forum Convenor Harish Chauhan, Coconvenor Sanjay Chauhan, Apple Producers Association President Rakesh Singha, and Stone Fruit Association President Deepak Singha, also participated, along with representatives from Arhtiya associations and departmental officers.

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