SHIMLA: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government is conducting a legal study to implement universal cartons in order to empower the apple growers of the state.
Addressing a delegation of Theog assembly constituency, led by Devender Shyam, Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Co-operative Bank, which met him here today, Chief Minister said the state government has taken various steps for setting up Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores.
The horticulturists could get remunerative prices of their produce, thereby protecting them from any kind of exploitation of middlemen, he added.
CM, however, did not give any commitment as to whether or not the universal cartons will be implemented in the coming apple season.
The apple farmers had demanded that operationalisation of universal cartons should start this season itself.
Apart from this, it is also being considered to set up an apple-based distillery.
It would provide an additional source of income to the horticulturists. The farmers could sell under-sized and rotten apples for winery products, he added.
He said that the state government in its first Green Budget, made a provision of 50 per cent subsidy for the purchase of e-bus, e-truck and e-taxi besides giving 40 per cent subsidy for setting up solar power projects ranging from 250 KW to 2 MW capacity in the State.
He asked the Himachal Pradesh Co-operative Bank to provide loans for both these schemes liberally, so that the youth could get self-employment avenues and play a pivotal role in realizing government's resolve of Green Energy State.
The tangible results of these programs of the government would be visible after two years, he added.
He said the bank should work for the welfare of the farmers by providing generous loans to them for agriculture, fisheries and horticulture sectors, so that the rural economy of the state could also be strengthened.
The Chief Minister said that the party workers were being given due respect in the present government and Theog area has been provided due importance in the government.
While Kuldeep Singh Rathore of the Congress party is MLA from Theog constituency, Devendra Shyam has been made the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Co-operative Bank, while Kehar Singh Khachi has been appointed vice-chairman of the HP State Forest Development Corporation, he added.
Devender Shyam said that the bank will allocate a sum of Rs. 500 crore for the purchase of e-vehicles and solar energy projects.
Shimla MLA Harish Janartha and Vice President, Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation, Kehar Singh Khachi were also present when the delegation of Theog that included women also met the CM here today.
