Holding that the state government was indifferent toward problems being faced by apple growers, Communist Party of India (Marxists) today threatened to launch a mass agitation, should the government not act within a week to improve the road network and regulate post-harvest operations.
Speaking to the media persons, Sanjay Chauhan, state committee member CPI(M) said that there was complete chaos in the marketing operations during peak apple season time as black marketing was being resorted to by suppliers of packaging material.
Shortage of transport vehicles was not being met and hapless small and marginal farmers were having to pay stiff freight charges that were 50 to 100 % higher than the freights announced by the government, he said.
Due to breakdown of rural road network in Chopal region, there were over 30,000 boxes awaiting transport facility to access the market, he claimed. Kuldeep Tanwar, State Secretariat Member CPI(M) said the government had abdicated its regulatory role and the farmers were facing the brunt.
“The government needs to treat the situation as an emergency as the years livelihood of about 3 lakh farmers was dependent up apple crop,” he said. Recalling an earlier agitation in 1992, when 3 apple growers had died in police firing, Tikender Panwar, member secretary said, “unless the government acts within a week’s time, CPI(M) would be forced to launch a mass agitation.”
Photo credit: Amit Kanwar
Courtesy : Myhimachal.com
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