SHIMLA: Apple farmers’ Syunkt Kisan Manch (SKM) and Confederation of Indian Industry(CII), Himachal have welcomed the state government’s restoration of the old subsidy scheme on insecticides, pesticides and fungicides. But they reiterate that GST be frozen at 6 per cent for apple packaging material to save Rs 5500 Crore apple economy. The government should act on SKM’s 20-Point charter of demands submitted to the Jai Ram Thakur government earlier, Manch Demands.
In a notification issued by the secretary horticulture, government of Himachal Pradesh on July 25, the government has decided to restore the old scheme for procurement and distribution of pesticides on subsidized rates to orchardists.
The secretary has directed the director horticulture to take necessary action in this regard.
Syunkt Kisan Manch of over 27 farmers organisations and CII, which has supported the apple farmers demands, have welcomed the decision of the government.
But SKM demands that government should implement their other demands of freezing GST on apple cartons and trays at 6 five percent.
The market intervention scheme of giving support price of Rs 60 per kg for Grade A apple, Rs 44 per kg for Grade C and Rs 24 for the Grade C, whose support price under MIS paltry Rs 10.50 kg, which is rude joke on the hard working farmers.
APM Act should be implemented in letter and spirit in all Mandis of the state ensuring same day payment for the produce of the farmers. SKM.
Thousands of farmers will gherao the HP Secretariat on August 5 in support of the 20-point charter of demands submitted to the government, said SKM Convenor Harish Chauhan, con-convener Sanjay Chauhan.
CII Himachal Pradesh also has come in support of the farmers welcoming the decision of restoring the old scheme of subsidy on agriculture/ horticulture pesticide by the State Government.
“CII Himachal Pradesh was advocating for scrapping the new mechanism of subsidy through reimbursement as it was a big failure” said Mr Subodh Gupta, Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh.
“Restoration of old scheme of procuring and providing subsidized pesticide by Government of Himachal Pradesh through horticulture department at the farmer’s doorstep will immensely help the agriculture and horticulture community of the state specifically the Apple growers said Mr Rakesh Ahuja, Convenor – Panel on Horticulture and Tourism, CII Himachal Pradesh.
"These pesticides are very crucial in controlling diseases in apple and other stone fruits orchards”, he said.
Mr Ahuja further said with the persistent efforts of CII this decision is a welcome move by the state Government.
CII said the apple growers of the state are already under stress due to price rise in packaging Material as Central Government has increased GST on these packaging material from 12- 18 % which is adversely impacting the apple growers of the state.
