Himachal Pradesh's apple farmers applauded the decisions. Farmers have been calling for the execution of all three Acts, including the Legal Metrology Act 2009, the APMC Act 2005, and the HP Passenger and Goods Taxation Act 1955, which will not only help them get fair rates for their produce but will also protect them from intermediaries.
State Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi stated that the state's Congress government is committed to executing the APMC Act.
The minister went on to say that the state government will soon meet with carton manufacturers and direct them to begin universal packaging for apples and other horticulture produce.
"Aside from the Kullu district, farmers bring apples in boxes without weighing them to apple markets in Shimla, Kinnaur, and other apple-producing areas." Traders buy apples by the weight of the boxes rather than by the kilogramme.
"We held four to five meetings with farmers, dealers, carton producers, and other stakeholders and decided to limit apple packaging to one kilogramme. Whatever boxes the farmers use will have no effect on the weight of the produce they bring to us. We have set a maximum limit of 24 kg to prevent traders and middlemen from exploiting farmers," said Negi.
Previously, Negi claimed that the monopoly of some private companies, notably the Adani group, on market influence will be regulated, and that a policy would be developed soon.
He remarked that if the national government purchases apples from Jammu and Kashmir, it should likewise purchase apples from Himachal Pradesh and offer farmers with the same relief.
