Himachal Pradesh Government released Rs. 12.10cr for clearing the payment of apple procured under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) during the year 2010. With this, Rs. 58.35 crore had been released by the State Government which is the entire payment to be made to the apple growers for the apple procured under MIS during the year 2010. Record 1,11,153 MT apple was procured during the year 2010 by the Government through different procurement agencies and to make the entire payment within a year was also a record in itself.

A deputation of fruit growers led by Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta meets Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal yesterday and urged him to release the balance payment to be made to the apple growers for the apple procured under MIS during the year 2010 as a Diwali gift.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Government was committed for improving the economic conditions of the fruit growers in the State and had been considerate for their genuine problems. Besides various innovative schemes like Rs. 85 crore Apple Replantation Scheme has been stated last year. Most modern market yard was being set up at Parala in Shimla district at a cost of Rs. 100 crore and similar will be set up in lower area of the State. Narinder Bragta has thanked the Chief Minister for releasing the payment.