Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, said that for the successful implementation of the upcoming apple season, all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) should ensure better coordination at the local level.
The Deputy Commissioner was presiding over a review meeting on the apple season with SDMs, Block Development Officers, and officials of NHAI, the Public Works Department, Horticulture Department, HPMC, and other departments through video conferencing here today.
He said the purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the upcoming apple season by addressing issues faced during the previous season so that similar problems do not recur.
The meeting was informed that a total of 13,660,824 boxes of apples were produced in 2025. Additionally, 92,539 metric tonnes of apples were procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). It was also stated that due to small fruit size and damage caused by the rainy season, a larger quantity of apples could not be procured.
The Deputy Commissioner said that last year, a large quantity of apples was purchased at MSP, but due to delayed lifting, apples worth crores of rupees were spoiled, which adversely affected the horticulture sector. To avoid such a situation this season, coordination will be strengthened with HPMC and HIMFED to ensure that horticulturists do not suffer losses. He added that HPMC had submitted a claim of around ₹76 crore to the state government for the last apple season, while approximately ₹122 crore is to be received for the current season.
It was reported that although the universal carton system has been implemented, lack of inspection at grading centres has resulted in cartons being overfilled. In some areas, cartons are being packed with 22 to 27 kilograms of apples instead of the prescribed 20 kilograms. The meeting also noted that burning of orchard residue by growers is leading to forest fires and air pollution, and awareness must be raised to curb this practice. It was further reported that some apple weighing scales issued by HPMC have been sublet to untrained persons.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all SDMs to give priority to the maintenance of roads and bridges to ensure smooth apple transportation, particularly on routes with heavy apple traffic. He also instructed SDMs to hold local-level meetings before the season begins to ensure preparedness and public safety.
Regarding worker safety, the Deputy Commissioner directed the SDM, Kotkhai, to immediately release ex-gratia payments to the families of workers who lost their lives in pickup vehicle accidents during the last apple season. He emphasized that the apple trade depends heavily on migrant labour and their safety is the responsibility of the district administration. He added that ex-gratia assistance should be provided promptly in case of any accident.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Divyanshu Singal, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma, SDM Shimla Rural Manjeet Sharma, SDM Kupvi Aman Kumar Rana, Regional Transport Officer Vishwa Mohan, and other officers were present at the meeting.
