Theog/Shimla, 18 June: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday announced that a Rs. 26 crore winery will soon be set up at the Parala Market to benefit local fruit growers and boost the apple economy.
He was addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the long-pending Theog bus stand (Rs. 14.84 crore) and the APMC Fruit and Vegetable Market Complex at Shilaru (Rs. 23 crore).
Sukhu said the state government is focused on providing modern marketing infrastructure for farmers and horticulturists.
He also assured that funds would be released for a Mini Secretariat at Theog and announced a new HRTC sub-depot and workshop in the region.
Referring to the 2023 disaster, he said road connectivity in the apple belt was restored swiftly to save the apple season.
He reiterated the state’s demand for restrictions on apple imports to protect local growers.
MLA and AICC secretary Kuldip Singh Rathore welcomed the winery move and thanked the CM for pushing pro-farmer reforms. “I was the first to demand a ban on apple imports from Turkey.
Now American apples are another big threat. The Centre must act,” he said. Rathore also lauded the Universal Carton policy and urged stronger support for horticulturists battling price crashes and rising input costs.
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri and Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar hailed the CM’s leadership and the revival of development works in Theog.
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