Himachal apple production falls sharply; Jagat Singh Negi accuses BJP of misleading orchardists over mispayments
Minister Jagat Singh Negi reports a sharp drop in Himachal apple production and slams BJP over pending orchardist payments.
Himachal Pradesh is facing a significant blow to its horticulture-based economy as apple production has witnessed a massive decline this season. According to state Minister Jagat Singh Negi, the volume of apples reaching the market has plummeted compared to the previous year, raising concerns for the state's multi-crore industry.
Massive Drop in Apple Yield
Addressing the media in Shimla, the Minister for Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development, Jagat Singh Negi, revealed that only approximately 1.30 crore boxes of apples have reached the market so far. This stands in stark contrast to last year, when the market saw more than 2.25 crore boxes.
To put the scale of the decline into perspective, Negi noted that last year, the total quantity of apples procured and brought to market through government channels reached a record 3.25 crore boxes. The current shortage is now rippling through the supply chain, affecting processing operations at various crushing units.
Weather Extremes Blamed for Crop Failure
The minister attributed this year's poor harvest to a series of adverse weather patterns that disrupted the growing cycle. The primary factors identified include:
- Inadequate chilling hours required for fruit development.
- Unseasonal rainfall and sudden hailstorms in various regions.
- Extreme cold weather during the critical flowering stage.
- Drought conditions in certain pockets of the state.
This production slump is not just a loss for farmers; it threatens a massive economic ecosystem. The horticulture sector in Himachal Pradesh generates business worth roughly Rs 5,000 crore annually when accounting for the value of the fruit, packaging, labour, and transportation services.
Political Sparring Over Orchardist Payments
Beyond the agricultural crisis, the situation has taken a sharp political turn. Negi launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the opposition of misleading orchardists regarding pending payments under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
The Minister claimed that the previous BJP administration left behind a significant financial burden, stating, “When the BJP government left office in December 2022, it left behind Rs 114 crore in liabilities towards orchardists under the Market Intervention Scheme.” He further asserted that the current government has not only cleared those debts but has paid out more than Rs 264 crore to orchardists under the scheme to date.
Allegations Against Election Commission and BJP
The Minister's briefing also touched upon broader political grievances. He criticized certain BJP leaders for making remarks that portray the people of Himachal Pradesh as a "burden," specifically referencing sentiments expressed by Kangana Ranaut without naming her directly. He noted that such comments are deeply hurtful to the residents, particularly in the Mandi district.
In a serious allegation regarding democratic processes, Negi raised concerns over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He suggested that the revision process could be exploited to manipulate election outcomes by removing eligible voters.
“SIR has become a way to win elections,” Negi alleged, drawing a comparison to West Bengal, where he claimed the number of voters removed in certain constituencies was comparable to the victory margins seen in elections. He warned that if such practices continue, they pose a fundamental threat to the health of Indian democracy.