Himachal Govt taking all necessary steps to make Apple season successful: Jagat Singh Negi

While reviewing the preparations for the apple season, Jagat Singh Negi directed the Horticulture, Agriculture, Public Works and Police Departments to take necessary measures for the upcoming apple season here today.

Emphasizing traffic control, he said that all roads used for apple season should be repaired and smooth movement of vehicles should be ensured in apple markets. The Horticulture Minister said that parking, drinking water, toilets, electricity and other facilities will be provided in the apple markets in different places of the state to benefit orchardists, commissioned agents and other stakeholders associated with the apple business.

Necessary directions were issued to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for setting up the control room at the district level and their proper management. Emphasis was also laid on the necessity of GPS in outside vehicles so that timely action can be taken in cases of theft etc. Traffic and law and order will also be monitored with the help of CCTV cameras and automatic speedometers at various places. He also directed the police department to deploy the necessary force.

The Horticulture Minister gave directions for arrangements and timely supply of packaging material and to organize the movement of vehicles after the auction of fruits as per the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act 2005 during the meeting. Directions were also given for registration of fruit traders and issuing licenses and identity cards to them on time. Apart from this, directions were also given to make proper arrangements for timely payment to fruit growers. The Market Intervention Scheme was also discussed in detail.

Secretary Horticulture, Amitabh Awasthi, Director Horticulture, Sandeep Kadam, Deputy Commissioner Solan, Manmohan Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Aditya Negi, Managing Director Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation, Sudesh Kumar Mokta, Managing Director Himachal Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board Hemis Negi, Sub Divisional Magistrate Kalpa, Shashank Gupta, Superintendent of Police Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi, Deputy Superintendent of Police Solan, Bhisham Thakur, Managing Director HIMFED, Gyan Sagar Negi, Chief Engineer Public Works Department, S.P. Jagota, Joint Director of Agriculture Department, Jeet Singh Thakur and other senior officers were also present on this occasion.

Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Ashutosh Garg and Superintendent of Police Kullu, Sakshi Verma Karthikeyan and Deputy Commissioner Mandi, Arindam Chaudhary and Superintendent of Police Mandi, Soumya Sambasivan attended the meeting virtually.