CPI(M) Seeks Apple Price Support, ₹5,000 Cr Relief Package for Rain-Hit Himachal
Shimla: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that the Centre immediately announce a ₹5,000 crore special relief package for rain-battered Himachal Pradesh and roll out a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to save the state’s apple economy from collapse.
“Apple worth crores of rupees is rotting in orchards and roadsides as highways remain blocked and transport crippled.
Lakhs of orchardists are staring at ruin. The Centre must step in with an MIS where A-grade apples are bought at ₹80/kg, B-grade at ₹60/kg, and C-grade at ₹40/kg,” CPI(M) state secretary Sanjay Chauhan said in a statement.
Himachal has suffered cumulative losses exceeding ₹15,000 crore, and agriculture-horticulture losses pegged at ₹1,700 crore.
“With the state’s finances in tatters, only the Centre can help Himachal recover,” he added.
The CPI(M) has also urged the Chief Minister to convene an all-party meeting and set up a task force under the Chief Secretary to coordinate relief operations and ensure supply of essentials like food, water, power and connectivity to cut-off regions.
Chauhan said party cadres have been directed to work with locals in relief and rescue, and urged all political and social organisations to unite in tackling the crisis.
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