Amidst the hustle and bustle of Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh, apple growers are trying to corner the candidates of political parties regarding their problems. Accusing BJP and Congress of ignoring the plight of apple growers, the Samyukt Kisan Manch has decided to challenge the candidates of both parties with its questions.
The Manch alleges that the MPs from Himachal Pradesh did not raise the issue of apple growers in the Lok Sabha for five years. When the candidates come to seek votes, they will be asked questions about what they did about the problems of the gardeners. Farmers of Himachal Pradesh are angry with the attitude of political parties regarding import of foreign apples and many demands, including GST.
Harish Chauhan, convener of the Manch, told Rural Voice that due to a non-increase in import duty on foreign apples, these fruits are being imported in large quantities from many countries including America, which is causing loss to the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh. Gardeners are demanding that the government impose a 100 percent import duty on apples, but the central government did not increase the import duty. The demand for the abolition of GST on boxes and gardening equipment used for packing apples and other fruits was also not met.
Harish Chauhan says that just as during the Corona period, 'A' grade apples were purchased through NAFED in Jammu and Kashmir at the rate of Rs 60, 'B' grade at Rs 44 and 'C' grade at Rs 24 per kg, now on the same lines there should be arrangements to purchase 'A' grade apples at the rate of Rs 80, 'B' grade at Rs 60 and 'C' grade at Rs 45 per kg from the three apple-producing states of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He has emphasized solving the issue related to horticulture through Hill State Horticulture Forum for the development of agriculture and horticulture in the Himalayan states.
Apple growers have a lot of influence in the politics of Himachal Pradesh. In the last two Lok Sabha elections, BJP had won all the four seats in the state. But the Samyukt Kisan Manch believes that the MPs of Himachal Pradesh have failed to raise the problems of apple growers in the Parliament, now questions will be raised against the candidates seeking votes in the elections.
Apart from America, apples are imported into India from Iran, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Chile and Brazil. Due to SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area), Iranian apples reach India via Afghanistan without paying duty. Apart from this, apples from China also come to India illegally through Nepal. Due to this, domestic apple growers have to suffer losses.