Govt notifies apple packaging cartons

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 20

The State Horticulture Department has notified apple packaging cartons for the coming season.

Officials, however, said overweighing was forbidden as manufacturers would mention the maximum weight on each carton that it could carry.

“We have notified apple cartons for the coming season. Farmers can use carton of their choice – telescopic and universal,” revealed Tarun Shridhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Horticulture and Forests.

The state government forbids overweighing and overpackaging of the fruit. “Since each carton mentions its carrying capacity, overweighing of cartons is forbidden. Violation can attract punishment,” asserted Shridhar.

“We have left a margin of 2 to 3 kg in each carton for farmers before finalising the weight limit,” he added.

HPMC Vice-Chairman Prakash Thakur said farmers preferred to pack apples in all types of cartons — big or small. “The standard cartons developed by the Indian Packaging Institute was dropped as its cost turns out to be Rs 79 (excluding trays), which is very high, considering the average carton cost which was Rs 44 (excluding trays) last year,” he added.

“The society was of the view that packaging of apples in universal cartons was not acceptable as it is an assault on the right of farmers’ freedom to carry out their business as they wish to,” said Vineet Sarjolta, secretary, Himalayan Apple Growers Society.

But farmers hail the decision of the government to check overweighing, asserted Laxman Thakur, chairperson, Ecohorts, Nandpur. Stakeholders, including manufacturers, should be made aware of new packaging cartons rules, Shridhar said. “We will organise awareness camps for all stakeholders before the onset of the season,” he added.