The state is in crisis, the government is busy touring – Govt should answer on MIS payments

BJP state spokesperson Sandipani Bhardwaj reacted sharply to Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s press conference on apples from Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Chief Minister was distorting facts and attempting to mislead Himachal’s apple growers. He said Union Minister Piyush Goyal had already clarified that the new trade arrangement would not adversely affect the interests of Himachal’s apple growers. The country’s total apple production is approximately 2.1 million tons, while the demand is 2.6 million tons, so the 500,000-ton gap has previously been met through imports.

Bhardwaj said that previously, the minimum price for imported apples was around ₹50 per kilogram, which, after adding duties, would reach approximately ₹75. However, with the new system, imported apples will reach the market at a cost of over ₹120. He questioned how Himachal’s orchardists would be harmed when imported apples are becoming more expensive. He said that the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have formulated policies with farmers’ interests in mind, but the Chief Minister is merely making political statements.

He said that if the Chief Minister truly cared for the welfare of the orchardists, he should have gone to Delhi to discuss the matter with the relevant Union Minister, rather than spending state funds to hold a press conference in another state. He alleged that the state is already facing economic challenges, and the Chief Minister’s travel and statement at such a time is a misuse of public funds.

The BJP spokesperson said that the government should focus on increasing productivity in the horticulture sector instead of mere rhetoric. Through modern technology and mission-based plans, production per hectare can be increased from 10 metric tons to 40 metric tons, leading to a real increase in farmers’ income. He also said that the central government made special provisions in the recent budget to promote crops like almonds and walnuts, which Himachal could benefit from if the state government implements them.

Sandipani Bhardwaj asked the state government why MIS payments for produce purchased from farmers through the HPMC are still pending and when these funds will be released. He said the Chief Minister should focus on the pending payments and real problems of the state’s farmers and orchardists instead of making statements in other states.

Finally, he said that BJP is committed to protecting the interests of the farmers and gardeners of Himachal and urges the state government to leave politics aside and take concrete steps so that the gardeners of the state can get real benefits.