Mandi: ‘Ignored’ in budget; Balichowki apple growers’ body to march on Feb 16

Mandi, February 12

The Apple Growers’ Association, Balichowki, has decided to hold a protest march against the Central Government regarding their demands at Balichowki in Mandi district on February 16.

A meeting of the association was held under the chairmanship of its president Om Chand here on Monday. Various issues were discussed during the meeting and it was decided that a rally would be held at Balichowki regarding the demands of the apple growers.

Om Chand said farmers and apple growers were completely ignored in the Interim Budget of the Central Government. Subsidy on fertilisers and pesticides was reduced compared to last year, he said, adding that due to this, the cost of the production of apple crop was continuously increasing.

“Fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides are becoming increasingly costly due to which apple cultivation has become a loss-making proposition. Apple growers are dejected because they are constantly being cheated when they buy various varieties of plants from middlemen and various registered nurseries” he added.

“On February 16, the apple growers of the area will give a demand letter to the Horticulture Department, seeking a check on such activities. We will also demand from the Centre and state governments that apple prices be fixed and universal carton be implemented. The subsidy on pesticides and insecticides should be increased,” he said.

“Apple growers should be compensated for losses they incur due to hailstorms and rain. A cold store should be constructed in Balichowki area as soon as possible,” The association president added.

He urged all apple growers of the Balichowki area to join the February 16 protest march in large numbers.

State Committee member Mahender Singh Rana was among those who attended the meeting.