Himachal: BJP's Suresh Kashyap criticises Congress government for imposing fine on apple grower

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 10 : Former BJP state president and Member of Parliament, Suresh Kashyap, has accused the Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh of being anti-apple after it imposed a hefty fine of Rs 1 lakh on an apple orchardist.
The apple orchardist in question had disposed of spoiled apples in a temporary drain, an action that led to the imposition of a substantial fine by the state's Pollution Control Board.
Kashyap expressed his concern over the plight of apple growers who are already grappling with challenging conditions in the state's apple economy.
“The government should clarify what are chemicals in apples that cause pollution. If we compare, there are many types of food items which get spoiled and get thrown at various places. Are they also get fined by the Pollution Control Board?,” the BJP leader asked.
The fine, he argued, adds to the difficulties faced by these growers who are already navigating a crisis in the wake of weather-related adversities.
“Due to the weather, the crisis on Himachal's apple economy worth Rs 6,000 crore has deepened”, said Kashyap.
Highlighting the economic significance of apple farming in Himachal Pradesh, Kashyap noted that approximately three and a half lakh families are associated with the apple economy in the state.
However, adverse weather conditions have deepened the crisis this year, causing leaves to fall prematurely from apple trees and resulting in early harvesting. The poor quality of the crop has also led to lower market prices.
The apple industry in Himachal Pradesh, valued at around Rs 6,000 crore, has suffered significant losses due to weather-related factors, including insufficient snowfall in winter and untimely heavy rains.
Kashyap said, “The apple crop has suffered huge losses due to the weather. The economy of lakhs of people of the state is in crisis. The cost of apple production is continuously increasing and the yield is decreasing. The government will have to take serious and effective steps in time”.
This year, the state's apple production is only about 35 per cent of the normal yield, exacerbating the challenges faced by apple growers.
“The apple crop in the orchards at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet in the state has been badly affected. Where the crop was to be plucked after September 15, due to poor quality, gardeners are having to pluck the crop about two weeks before the scheduled time”, said Kashyap.
Kashyap stressed the need for the government to take prompt and effective measures to address the ongoing crisis in the apple industry.