Congress misleading apple-growers: Bragta

SHIMLA, June 1: Himachal Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta has claimed that apple had been kept out of the list of fruits, which the Cen...

SHIMLA, June 1: Himachal Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta has claimed that apple had been kept out of the list of fruits, which the Central Government had proposed to cover in the open-general licence (OGL).

Bragta told The Indian Express over phone from Poh (Kinnaur) that there was no threat to the marketable fruit varieties, including apple and all apprehensions of a section of apple growers in this regard were misplaced.

He accused the Congress leaders including former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh of his attempt to mislead the apple growers and create confusion in their minds.

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“The BJP is a committed to provide better marketing avenues to the apple growers of the state”, he asserted.

In the hectic campaign, Bragta said he had toured some of the interiors of Kinnaur and pledged the BJP government’s full support to the apple growers. Kinnaur is known for producing some of the best qualities of apple, which have an international demand. Last year, collapse of a vital bridge at Wangtoo over Sutlej had hit the apple industry adversely. The new bailey bridge on the river is likely to be ready by this month end.

The horticulture minister said the BJP had a clear edge over the Congress in the constituency and was poised to win all assembly elections besides the Mandi Lok Sabha seat. He ridiculed the Congress for weaving its campaign on falsehood and inciting local sentiments. “ This will not help the Congress in anyway” he said.

Sources in the LJP (RV) said the names of the remaining 15 candidates would also be announced very soon.

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