Himachal Pradesh MLA seeks higher apple support prices

Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore has called on the state government to raise the apple support price under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) from Rs 12 per kg to at least Rs 20 per kg.

Rathore cited rising production costs, including expenditures on labor, fertilizers, manure, fungicides, and pesticides, as well as crop losses caused by adverse weather conditions. He also noted that reduced import duties on foreign apples are negatively impacting domestic growers.

A group of approximately 13-14 Congress MLAs has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu regarding the price increase. The Chief Minister has reportedly assured that the demand will be considered, and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has been tasked with preparing a draft on the matter.