Shimla, August 30
The Himachal Pradesh Apple Growers’ Association has urged the state government to immediately release the pending payments to farmers under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apples and other fruits.
In a statement, association state committee member Sanjay Chauhan said the government had started the payment process in March, initially deciding to clear dues of farmers who had supplied up to 30 boxes, followed by those who had supplied up to 100 boxes. However, several farmers have still not received their payments despite submitting all the required documents.
Chauhan said some farmers had submitted their documents more than a month ago, but the money had not yet been credited to their bank accounts. Officials, he said, had cited an ongoing inquiry into alleged irregularities involving the number of boxes at some locations last year as the reason for withholding payments.
“The farmers who have completed all formalities and have no role in any alleged irregularity should not be made to suffer because of an investigation,” the association said, demanding that their pending dues be released without further delay.
The association also demanded a proper investigation into alleged irregularities in apple procurement under the MIS. It said the reported discrepancies raise serious questions over the functioning of the agencies appointed by the government for procurement, including HPMC and Himfed. According to the association, large-scale irregularities could not have occurred without possible lapses or collusion involving officials and personnel deployed at collection centres.
The association also criticised the alleged failure to lift apples procured under the MIS from collection centres in time last year, saying that fruit was reportedly buried at some locations citing road blockages. It demanded strict legal action against those found responsible and recovery of any losses caused by such negligence.
Chauhan said the government should establish a transparent procurement mechanism and frame clear rules for appointments at collection centres. He also called for an end to political or other interference in the procurement process.
The association further urged the Centre to continue the MIS, which was introduced in 1987-88 for crops including potatoes, onions, apples, oranges and grapes. It said the scheme has been implemented to provide farmers with remunerative prices when market prices fall sharply.
According to the association, the Centre reduced budgetary provision for the scheme in the 2023 Budget, resulting in the withdrawal of the central share to states. It alleged that the state government was also gradually moving away from the scheme.
The association demanded that the Centre restore adequate funding for the MIS, including a provision of at least Rs 1,500 crore as in earlier years, and release the pending amount due to Himachal Pradesh. It warned that any move by the Centre or state government to discontinue the scheme would be “anti-farmer” and would further aggravate the difficulties faced by fruit growers.
The association said it would oppose any decision to discontinue the MIS.
