SHIMLA/ROHRU: The apple farmers of the Apple belt of Himachal Pradesh from over 20 farmers' organisations on Monday staged a massive protest march in Rohru town under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Manch(SKM). They demand roll back of increase of GST on cartons and trays and MSP for the Grade A, B C apples as being given to the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir.
Cutting across the political lines, the farmers shouted slogans against the anti-farmers policies of the government, including Fasal Bima Yojana, increase in GST on cartons and trays to 18 per cent from 12 per cent and increase in prices of the fertilisers and chemical sprays.
They also raised their voice against the low rates the farmers are getting for the early apple varieties being sold in the markets these days due to the nexus of Arhtiyas and Ladanis.The farmers gathered in front of SDM Office Rohru and lodged their protest by submitting their memorandum to the government through the SDM.
The farmers warned that if these demands were not met the farmers would stage a big protest march on July 20, 2022.
The farmers demand that all Mandis in state should be brought under APMC Act and farmers should get the payments soon after their fruit is sold in the market by implementation of the Act.
The government is increasing the cost of production by imposing tax on various inputs being used by the farmers in the state.
Convener of the SKM Harish Chauhan and Co-convenor Sanjay Chauhan reiterated the demands of the farmers.
The charter of demands has been submitted to the state government including Chief Minister, but the government has not even bothered to invite the farmers for talks, what to talk about resolving their problems, they resented. 
These days the farmers are not getting proper price for their produce. The Packaging material in which GST on cartons increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent to be withdrawn immediately, they demanded.
The farmers demand that subsidy should be given on fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, cartons, trays and other input cost items to the farmers.
They demanded that government should Implement Mandi Intervention Scheme (MIS) scheme on the lines of Kashmir. The farmers should get Rs 60 for A grade apples, Rs 44 for B-Grade and Rs 24 KG for C- grade to bail the farmers out from the distress situation, they demanded.
The SKM also demanded that the HPMC and HIMFED should pay all the pending dues of the fruit that the government agencies had procured under MIS over the years immediately.Strictly implement the APMC law in the state.
