Kaul Singh Thakur: Himachal Govt has failed to protect apple grower interests

Mandi, August 28

After a sharp decline in the prices of apple, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh are under fire from Opposition leaders.

Congress leader Kaul Singh said today that the government had failed to protect the rights of apple growers.

“For the past two weeks, there has been a sharp decline in the prices of apple, which has left growers worried. Big industrialists are also responsible for the decline in the prices, who purchase the produce at low prices and later sell it at high prices,” he said.

“Private firms have announced Rs 16 per kg for apple, the rate that was paid almost 10 years ago. The Chief Minister has expressed helplessness to provide the minimum support price on the fruit by citing a financial crisis” he added.

Kaul said, “Who is responsible for the financial crisis in the state? Obviously, the Chief Minister who is busy in making announcements in the poll-bound constituencies without any budgetary provisions.” — TNS