Losses to apple growers: Cong,BJP play blame game

In wake of losses incurred by apple growers this year due to poor condition of roads,non-availability of transportation and overcharging,the opposition Congress and the BJP have started off a new blame game. The latest trigger for it has also been the issue of amendment in Agri-Produce Marketing Committee Act rules by the Delhi government on charging of 8 per cent commission from the apple growers by arthias (traders) in the capital’s Azadpur market.

The Congress has attacked the BJP government for failing to represent the state’s interest on the issue of illegal charging of commission,before Delhi High Court where Himachal had filed a petition challenging the commission. “Despite the BJP government of Himachal taking the legal recourse orchardists could not get relief,instead the Delhi government re-enforced commission. This is the biggest failure,” said Congress spokesperson Kuldeep Rathore while talking to mediapersons. Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta has already said the Congress party in the state should take up the issue of commission with Delhi government.

Rathore said the Congress had always been ready to cooperate with the BJP government in taking up the issue of illegal charging of commission by traders at Azadpur market with Sheila Dikshit government. “But not now,we will not cooperate on any front as the state government had already taken up the matter in the court. Now they should pursue the case in the Supreme Court,” he said.

Congress has claimed that due to poor condition of roads nearly 25 to 30 per cent apples rotted in the orchards. While,the government has found respite by assuring people that rotten apple would be used to prepare organic manure.