Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi here today presided over the review meeting of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to protect the interests of the stakeholders related to apple production and marketing, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited (HPMC), Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) and Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board.
He said that Apple has an important role in the economy of the state and Himachal was famous for its fruits especially for apple production countrywide. The state government was committed to protecting the interests of all stakeholders associated with apple production and its marketing.
Efforts were afoot to make the people of the state aware of the fraudsters involved in apple trade. The APMC, Act will be effectively implemented in the state so that people who cheat could be booked and losses to the state and apple growers could be prevented. There was a provision to cancel the license of such persons and the authorities were directed to implement the same in letter and spirit, he said.
The Horticulture Minister directed the officials to keep a special vigil in the fruit markets so as such cases could be reduced. He said that all the rules should be strictly followed so that the stakeholders do not face any problem. He also instructed SIT, HPMC, APMC and Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board to work in unison.
SIT Member Arvind Digvijay Negi gave a detailed presentation on the occasion. ADGP, Satwant Atwal, Managing Director HPMC, Sudesh Kumar Mokhta, senior officers of APMC, Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board and other departments attended the meeting.
