Hike in Price of Cartoon & apple : Seb Utpadak Sangh to held demonstration 

Himachal Pradesh Seb Utpadak Sangh have given call of demonstration against the increasing prices of apple packaging material.CPI(M) MLA, Rakesh Singha said in a press statement issued here today that people of apple-dominated area would hold protest against the skyrocketing prices of cartons and Apple trays. He said that horticulturists are going to hold a massive demonstration in the apple-dominated areas of Shimla district, Theog and Rohru on Monday. He said that United Farmers Forum, Kisan Sabha, Apple Growers Association decided to hold  demonstration. He said that after independence, for the first time, such a high rise in prices of packaging materials. He said that growers association have gone to  administration but it did not reduced  the fixed rate of apple cartoon and trays. He has opposed the decision of the Modi government to increase the rate of GST on cartons from 12 to 18. He said that it has become necessary to take to the streets to change the attitude of the government. The recovery of levies on Shoghi barrier by  APMC id illegal, Rakesh Singha said accusing government for collecting money from apple growers. He said that APMC is illegally robbing the gardeners by putting up barriers in Shimla-Kinnaur Shoghi. He has appealed to all the growers to oppose this loot against them.Mahendra Verma, president of the Apple Growers Association said that even 20 years ago, a apple boxes  cost 30 to 35 rupees bur the cost has gone up to Rs 300 to 400 per box now.  The prices of cartons, separators and trays also increased, the prices of packaging tremendously. The bundle of 100 trays which was getting Rs 450 to 550 last year. This time its price is getting 700 to 800 rupees per bundle. That is, the prices have increased by a maximum of Rs 250 per bundle. Similarly, the box which was getting 53 to 68 rupees last year, this time 60 to 80 rupees have to be paid for it. The price of the box has also increased by a maximum of Rs 12. The bundle of separators has increased from Rs 20 to 35. This time the gardeners have to pay Rs 370 to 450 per bundle this time. There has also been an increase of Rs 10 in the cost of the seal used in the packing of apples, Rs 25 in the price of the stepping machine and Rs 5 to 10 in the price of the stepping roll.