Himachal govt alleges Centre's apathy as apple growers face import crisis

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Friday accused the Centre of being indifferent towards the demands of Rs 5,000 crore apple economy, which is being hit by import of apples from abroad.

Replying to a query by Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said Prime Minster Narindra Modi, during his visit to Himachal, had assured that import duty on apple would be enhanced to 100 per cent.

“On the contrary, the import duty has been reduced from 75 to 50 per cent. We grow five lakh metric tonnes while Jammu and Kashmir is producing 21 lakh tonnes. Apple is being imported from 32 countries and we have several times written to the Centre to discourage import of apples from abroad which is hitting our growers,” he said.

The minister said, “We had urged the Centre to impose a complete ban on import of apples between July to November to protect our growers and prevent a glut resulting in very low prices. We had even demanded that total ban on transport of apples from Iran through Afghanistan route as 50,000 tonnes of apples are being imported into Himachal.” It is pointless to expect cooperation from the BJP in Himachal as they are themselves helpless, he added.

“The WTO agreement was signed during the Atal Vajpayee regime. We have started universal packaging and restored subsidy on insecticides in the interest of the growers,” Negi said, adding that the state government was doing its best to protect interest of growers, but the Centre has been completely indifferent towards the demands of apple growers.

Rathore said the Rs 5,000 crore apple economy is facing a very difficult time with cost inputs rising.

“Despite PM Modi promising that import duty on apples would be enhanced from 50 to 100 per cent but recently it has been reduced to 30 per cent which is hitting the apple growers very badly.” He said the Centre seems to be completely insensitive to the issue and cheaper apples from Iran and Turkey are hitting the growers of Himachal.