Farmers gherao APMC office, seek action against arhtiyas

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 22

Apple farmers under the banner of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (KSS) gheraoed the office of the president, APMC, Dhalli, here today and sought immediate action against the erring arhtiyas under the APMC Act, 2005 for not paying them dues for the produce sold by them in various markets in the state.

After the protest, the KSS delegation led by its president Surinder Thakur and secretary Sanjay Chauhan, who were accompanied by Theog legislator Rakesh Singha and Himachal Kisan Sabha president Dr Kuldip Tanwar, submitted a memorandum containing 11 demands to the president, APMC, Shimla and Kinnaur demanding immediate action. The farmers raised slogans against the government-run APMC and state agricultural market board, which are responsible for ensuring payment to farmers as stipulated under the APMC Act, 2005.

The samiti demanded that the APMC must enforce the APMC Act and book the arhityas who have not paid to the farmers for their produce sold by them in markets.