Shimla, April 4
Himachal Pradesh’s horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Saturday that payments due to apple growers and other orchardists under the state’s Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) will now be sent directly to their bank accounts through the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC).
Following a meeting at the state secretariat, Negi stated that the government is working to streamline payments and ensure farmers receive funds promptly and without intermediary delays.
He noted that the issue was discussed with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and confirmed that, once funds are released, small and marginal farmers will be prioritized for payment. The decision is likely to bring much-needed relief to fruit growers who have been waiting for their MIS dues, especially at a time when many depend heavily on seasonal earnings. The scheme is meant to support farmers when market prices fall or private buyers fail to offer fair returns. Negi said sending the money directly through HPMC into farmers’ bank accounts would make the payment process smoother, faster, and more transparent.
During the same interaction, the minister criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that the opposition did not present an effective challenge during the recent extended budget session of the Himachal Pradesh assembly.
He said BJP legislators had ample opportunity to address public issues in the assembly but did not do so effectively. Negi stated that the party is now attempting to shift the narrative by organizing public protests. Over the recent entry tax revision, the opposition had exaggerated the scale of the increase.
He clarified that the entry tax for small vehicles was not increased, and that the limited rise for other categories was misrepresented by the BJP to cause unnecessary concern.
These remarks come as the Congress government in Himachal faces increasing opposition criticism regarding taxation, public finances, and administrative decisions, while working to reassure farmers and orchardists about pending payments and support measures.
