Apple growers fear losses as truckers’ strike begins today

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 18

Apple growers fear that their produce could rot as truckers on Wednesday refused to load the consignments to Delhi and other markets due to a strike call given by truck operators on July 19 and July 20.

“We have packed apples in cartons. We called up truckers, but they refused to supply these to Delhi due to a strike call,” said Prakshit Kumar, apple farmer from Churag, Mandi.

“Apple may rot as the fruit in the low altitude is highly perishable due to heat,” he said. About 15,000 cartons are arriving in Dhalli and Parala mandis everyday from the lower belt. These include Guma, Hatkoti, Mendli, Thana in Jubbal-Kotkhai, Jhiknipul, Nerwa, Chopal, Theog, lower Kumarsain, Palsar, Bhutti areas of Kotgarh, Churag, Mahunag, Bhakhrot, Dhanda Pani, Pangna, Seri in Karsog of Mandi district and Anni of Kullu.

Each farmer has about 50 boxes to sell in the market everyday. “If wholesalers do not load fruit, they will stop buying it from farmers, resulting in their loss,” said Prakshit, who is also a member of the Delhi-Azadpur Mandi Union.

Farmers are apprehensive that the truckers in Punjab and Haryana will not allow plying of trucks to Delhi. President of the Dhalli Arhtyas Association NS Chaudhary said trucker unions had been urged to allow the transportation of the fruit and vegetables.

Stir against hike in freight tax

• About 15,000 cartons are arriving in Dhalli and Parala mandis everyday
• Each farmer has about 50 boxes to sell
• Truck operators will stage a protest on July 19 and 20 against the increase in freight tax and TDS on freight charges.