Himachal CM Sukhu directs officials not to issue notices to apple growers

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Shimla, August 12

A controversy has erupted in Himachal Pradesh over the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) after SDMs issued notices to apple growers who had sold more than 100 bags of Grade-C apples under the scheme last year, prompting allegations from growers and the BJP that the government was trying to weaken the scheme.

The issue came to light amid the ongoing apple season, following which Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed officials to immediately stop issuing notices to growers.

Under the MIS, the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) purchases Grade-C apples from growers at government-fixed rates.

Officials said the notices were issued after SDM-led committees verified discrepancies between the quantity of apples sold by some growers and the land area recorded in their names.

The growers were asked to submit land-related documents, including revenue records, to establish the basis of their production.

Apple growers, however, opposed the move, alleging that it was an attempt to weaken the MIS. They said growers had not received payments under the scheme for the past two years and alleged that such measures could further delay payments.

They also objected to reports of a proposed limit on the quantity of apples that could be purchased under the MIS this year, terming it an anti-grower decision. They warned of protests if the government did not withdraw the action.

BJP leader and apple grower Chetan Bragta also criticized the government, alleging it was treating growers like criminals rather than addressing their concerns.

Bragta said more than 7,000 growers who had supplied over 100 bags of apples under the MIS in 2025 were being served notices. He said the notices sought Aadhaar details, jamabandi, tatima, commission agent slips and bank statements and required growers to appear before officials.

He questioned why verification was not carried out when HPMC purchased the apples and said growers were now being asked to produce documents at the time of payment.

Bragta said around 45,000 growers had supplied apples under the MIS and demanded that the government make the entire procurement process transparent if there were concerns about irregularities.

He also alleged selective action and demanded a white paper detailing the number of growers who supplied more than 100 bags, the number of notices issued and those who were exempted.

Amid the controversy, the Chief Minister directed officials to stop issuing notices to growers and clarified that the government’s intention was only to ensure transparency in the procurement process.

The government also clarified that no limit has been imposed on MIS apple procurement and growers can sell more than 100 bags under the scheme.

It further said no grower would be harassed and that any clerical errors in the notices would be rectified. The government maintained that the Congress administration was committed to protecting apple growers’ interests.