JUBBAL-KOTKHAI: Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi in Anu in the Jubbal and Kotkhai constituency  made it clear that the government would strictly implement  the new rule in letter and spirit  that makes its mandatory for selling apple on the basis of  weight  per kg in all markets  in Himachal Pradesh from this apple season.

 "The government is serious about implementing this rule and it will be implemented strictly", he asserted.
 Negi along with Education Minister Rohit Thakur today  inspected the proposed cold stores at Gumma, Khadapathar and Anu in Jubbal-Kotkhai.

Negi said that as per the norms of universal carton, a maximum of 24 kg apples would be sold per box.

Horticulture Minister said the government will also deploy the local administration to implement this rule.

Local SDM and Tehsildar level officers will also be authorized to implement the rule.

The local administration will keep a close watch on the matter.

He said that in this budget, the state government has decided to set up 8 cold stores within in two years.

Out of these, two cold stores will be in Jubbal-Kotkhai area, Negi said.

He said that this time the apples, which are taken in sacks in a radius of about 40 km around Parala Mandi, will be taken in crates, which will benefit the orchardists.

He said that the government is committed to provide quality pesticides and fertilizers to the horticulturists of the state. Soon its availability will be ensured through the Horticulture Department.

The government is working to have about 2 lakh boxes of storage in the Khada Patthar cold store.

In a public meeting at Anu, Thakur said the horticulturists of nearby areas including Jubbal-Kotkhai will be benefited from the proposed cold store Khadapathar and Anu.

Addressing the people in Gumma, Khadapathar and Anu during this period, he also praised the public welfare policies of the Sukhu government.

The Ministers  directed the HPMC to speed up construction of  Gumma store for which over Rs 17 crore is being spent.

He also assured to consider the status of Center of Excellence for the Anu Farm.

He also checked the saplings of new varieties of apple being prepared in the farm and issued appropriate guidelines to the officials.

Jagat Negi reiterated the commitment to set up a cold store soon in Anu.

They were accompanied by Block Congress Committee President Moti Lal Dhirta, Zila Parishad member Kaushal Mungta, BDC member Sameela Jhagata, elected director cooperative bank Pawan Chauhan, Pragatisheel Bagwan Prem Chauhan and others.