The leader of opposition Vidya Stokes blames the state government for being indifferent towards apple growers in the valley. Congress veteran said that the growers in several villages of Shimla, Mandi and Kullu are craving for relief after their crops were completely destroyed by the inclement weather and severe hailstorms. She demanded immediate relief to the affected farmers, and suggested state government to waive the farmers’ loans and interests on them and the government make the entire payment to farmers for apple sold to government agencies under the Market Intervention scheme (MIS).
She also urged for banning import of apple and other fruits grown in the state or substantial increase in import duty to check flooding of Indian markets with exotic apples among other fruits.
