Sanjay Chauhan seeks immediate release of all arrears, transparent probe into procurement irregularities
SHIMLA: The Himachal Apple Growers Association has demanded immediate payment of all outstanding MIS dues to farmers, saying growers cannot be made to pay for alleged irregularities in the government’s procurement system.
Association State Committee Member Sanjay Chauhan demanded that the government release the pending payments without further delay and simultaneously identify and book those responsible for alleged manipulation in MIS procurement.
“If there has been wrongdoing in MIS procurement, book the culprits and recover the loss from them. But do not punish innocent farmers by withholding their payments,” Chauhan said.
He said the government had started the payment process in March, initially clearing dues of growers who had supplied up to 30 bags and subsequently those who had supplied up to 100 bags.
However, several farmers who submitted all required documents were still waiting for their money.
“Some farmers have completed the documentation more than a month ago, yet the money has not reached their accounts. The government must explain why a farmer who has fulfilled every requirement is being made to wait,” he said.
Chauhan said officials were citing investigations into alleged irregularities involving the number of bags at some procurement centres as a reason for delaying payments.
“An investigation into irregularities cannot become a reason to hold back legitimate payments of farmers. Establish the fraud, fix responsibility and take action against the guilty, but clear the farmers’ dues immediately,” he said.
The Association has also put HPMC and HIMFED under scrutiny, questioning the supervision and verification mechanisms followed during MIS procurement.
“Large-scale irregularities cannot happen without failures at the procurement and collection-centre level.
The government must fix accountability in HPMC and HIMFED and establish who was responsible for verification, procurement, lifting, transportation and disposal of the produce,” Chauhan said.
He demanded a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities and strict legal action against officials and other persons found responsible.
The Association has also raised questions over the handling of MIS apples purchased last year, alleging that produce remained at collection centres and was not lifted in time before being buried.
“If government-purchased apples were allowed to rot and were ultimately buried, the responsibility cannot simply disappear under the excuse of road blockades.
The officers and agencies responsible must be identified and the financial loss recovered from those found guilty,” Chauhan said.
The growers’ body has called for a transparent MIS procurement system, with clear rules for appointing personnel at collection centres and safeguards against political or other outside interference.
Chauhan said MIS was introduced to protect farmers when market prices collapsed and remained particularly important for apple growers facing rising production costs and increasing market uncertainty.
“MIS is a price-support mechanism for farmers and must not be allowed to die a slow death. The government must strengthen it rather than withdraw from it,” he said.
The Association has demanded that the Centre continue MIS and restore at least the earlier provision of Rs 1,500 crore, besides releasing the pending Central share to Himachal Pradesh.
“The message to the government is simple—pay every rupee due to farmers, book the culprits, fix accountability in HPMC and HIMFED and continue MIS. Farmers must not be made victims of failures in the government procurement system,” Chauhan said.
