Hasty implementation of universal carton hurting the apple grower: BJP
Due to the hasty implementation of Universal Carton without any preparation, apple horticulture which gives 5000 crore rupees economy to the state is in danger, said BJP MLA, spokesperson Balbir Verma and spokesperson Chetan Baragata.
Both the leaders said that after the complete ban on telescopic in the state and the decision to sell apples according to the rate, the orchardists have turned to the markets of other states to sell their produce. Till date, the orchardists used to sell their apples mostly in the markets of Himachal in the month of July, but this year the orchardists have been forced to sell their produce in the markets of other states. Which will have a direct impact on the local markets running inside the state and other small industries and employment opportunities related to this business. The orchardists, commission agents and loaders are troubled due to the arbitrary order of the Horticulture Minister. Due to which this year the loaders are also coming less to the markets of the state and the commission agents are also planning to shift to the markets of other states. Due to all these reasons, the state government will have a huge revenue loss.
Balbir Verma said that the irresponsible manner in which the Congress government has banned telescopic cartons and implemented universal cartons without any preparation has made the gardeners feel uncomfortable.
Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party government under the leadership of Horticulture Minister Narendra Baragta had set up a network of fruit markets in the state but due to the indifferent attitude of the Congress towards horticulture, the very existence of these fruit markets is in danger today.
Chetan said that apples should be sold in the fort, but right now they are being sold at the rate. In which 30%, 20% and 10% deduction is being made, which is an intolerable decision. If the anti-horticulture decision is not taken back, then BJP will launch a fierce agitation and if needed, it will not back down from knocking the doors of the court.
Chetan Bragta said that 20 years ago Himachal was the leading state in apple production, but today it has changed and now Himachal is lagging behind. Today Himachal produces only 17% of apples while Jammu and Kashmir produces 78% of apples.
Has the state government thought about why we are lagging behind? We should also try to know whether Jammu-Kashmir, North-Eastern states and Uttarakhand have done carton standardization.
Why did the state government implement the universal carton in a hurry, this is a question worth considering which I am leaving before the public. Whereas former Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra had also given a trial period of 3 years when Baghwan shifted from wooden boxes to cardboard.
