Jumping  quarantine norm contaminated supply of imported plant material in Himachal: Cong

Accusing the government for jumping quarantine norms, Himachal Pradesh Congress committee showed concern over supply of virus contaminated imported apple plant material in  the state.
HPCC President Kuldeep Singh Rathore in a press statement alleged that  danger of unwanted disease loom large in the apple plants being supplied in the state.
He cautioned that state is allowing to selling uncertified  apple and other fruit plants to the farmers without proper investigation, could be detrimental to health existing orchards or may risk  entire fruit economy.
” International protocol of quarantine of lakhs of apple plants was breeched by supplying contaminated plants being multiply in the private nurseries.
Such imported apple plants developed by the private nurseries couldn’t not be sold to farmers without  comploying quarantine certification period of four years.

 Rathore has asked the government to allow these nurseries to sell all types of plants  imported from abroad after scientific examination and following prescribed Quarantine period of four to five years before such plant get introduced to the orchards in the state.
Rathore slammed the state government for recommending banned spray (drug) by the Horticulture Department.
“The state of affairs itself shows the insensitivity of the government towards the apple growers and other farmers” he said.
 He seeks probe on the issue demanding thorough investigation on what basis such recommenations were made as it indicates prevailing of corrupt practices.

 Rathore has also expressed strong objection to HPMC and HIMFED giving tree spray oil to the growers at exorbitant prices that of open market.
Demanding to reduce the rate of TSO he said that open loot is continuing on behalf of state agency couldn’t befool the farmers as they are being cheated in convience with suppliers.

He also lashed out the state for its apathy towards the growers, who are not getting sufficient supply of fertilizers .
” The government deliberately neglecting the farmers as its  the attitude towards them  was not right from the day one it resume power. ” he said.
He  warned the government that farmers may lodge strong agitation again  if the supply of fertilizers not restored immediately.
  Rathore stressed that the farmers are in dire need of manure at this time ad it is peak time for them to apply fertilizers in the field due to availability suitable moisture in the soil.
Many farmers have already buying fertilizers from the open market in a hurry at Exorbitant prices as there is a crisis of potash and urea fertilizers in the state, he added.