Apple duty cut: Himachal Kisan Congress warns of agitation

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Kisan Congress targets statewide outreach, warns of protest over apple import duty cut
Shimla, September 29
The newly constituted Himachal Kisan Congress held its first executive meeting in Shimla on Monday, focusing on farmers’ and orchardists’ concerns and setting a target to expand the organisation’s presence across every panchayat and household in the state.

Kisan Congress president Ravi Sharma said the organisation would work to strengthen the rural economy by promoting employment opportunities for farmers and orchardists within their villages.

“Our government’s policy is clear — farmers and orchardists should get employment opportunities at their doorstep,” Sharma said, adding that income from dairy farming, natural farming and crops such as maize, wheat, ginger and garlic could help reduce migration of young people to industrial areas such as Nalagarh and Baddi.

On the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), Sharma said despite financial constraints, the state government remained committed to clearing payments in a phased manner. Shimla Rural Congress president Hari Krishna Himral criticised the Center over the reduction in import duty on apples. He alleged that the duty had been reduced from 50 per cent to 25 per cent and subsequently to zero, which he claimed could adversely affect Himachal Pradesh’s apple economy.

Himral also alleged that funds related to disaster losses suffered by the state in 2023 and 2025 had not been released despite the Centre’s announcements. He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Rs 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh during a visit to the state.
Shimla district Kisan Congress president Mamta said the organisation would launch a mass movement against the reduction in apple import duty.

She also highlighted the Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to provide MSP for milk, claiming the state was the first to introduce such a provision and that the policy had been appreciated by the NITI Aayog.
Mamta said the Kisan Congress and other Congress units would intensify outreach and present the party’s position on issues concerning farmers and the state’s economy.