Himachal government’s Agricultural Marketing Board issued a circular directing the sale of apples and similar fruits to be based on the weight of the produce in all markets. The board had taken a decision in this regard on April 4 and the circular affecting it was issued late on Thursday evening.
Himachal government’s marketing board issued a circular governing the sales of apples and similar fruits to be depending on the weight of the product in all the markets.
As per the circular, sellers will bring apples and similar fruits to be packed in crates, universal cartons, and telescopic cartons. However, in each box, the weight should not exceed 24 kg in any case.
Earlier, there was a likelihood among both the sellers and growers to package more than the prescribed layers of the apple to increase the weight of the box. The same was highly unfavourable to the growers.
The seller shall now have to specify the proper weight of the product on the carton/box with a permanent marker. The government has made it mandatory to weigh the sample boxes in each market yard or auction floor. For this purpose, the commission agents will be accountable for arranging a weighing machine.
The weighing instruments and such measures and weights must satisfy the requirements as prescribed under the Himachal Pradesh Weights and Measures Act, 1968, or any other law for the time being in force, shall be used for measuring or weighing agricultural yield in a notified market area, the circular further stated.
Meanwhile, Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) have been given the responsibility of assurance of an adequate number of weighing machines in their yards.
Redressal process is in place
With regard to weight in case of any dispute, a sub-committee consisting of the buyer, seller, commission agent and APMC’s representative, shall weigh the samples on APMC’s weighing machine and the weight thus estimated shall be considered final and concluding.
New licences, renewal of licences, and the allocation of space in the yard will be subject to the condition that trade will be undertaken only on a weight basis.
Registered under the Himachal Pradesh Agricultural and Horticultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2005, all market functionaries, sellers, traders, buyers and commission agents have been ordered to follow seven-point norms as described in the circular.
Primarily, the state government had planned to introduce universal cartons for apples last year to monitor overpackaging after failing to impose uniform packaging standards.
Kisan Morcha welcomes the move
Welcoming the latest move, President of the Progressive Growers Association (PGA) Lokinder Singh Bisht said, “The fruit associations have carefully welcomed the government’s first move. Within four months of coming into power, the state government has taken the policy decision to make the sale of apples and other fruits by weight, this step is welcomed by all fruit growers and we are thankful to the government.”
Additionally, he said, “However, we expect the government to keep up the momentum by executing the Passenger and Goods Transport Act and the APMC Act to ensure the actual benefit of sale by weight is realised by the growers.”
Comprising around 17 assembly segments apple growing regions in Kinnaur, Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla, have played a major role in drawing the political lines of Himachal Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh, Apple contributes to around 13.5% of the state’s gross domestic product which boasts of a ₹6,000 crore economy.
