Shimla, July 23,
In a crucial meeting held on July 23, 2024, the Himachal Pradesh Committee of the Seb Utpadak Sangh, represented by Secretary Puran Thakur and President Sohan Thakur, presented a memorandum to H Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi. The delegation from the Sanyukt Kissan Munch highlighted significant issues faced by apple growers during the ongoing apple season, focusing on the need for rationalizing and regulating freight charges.
The apple growers emphasized that the current freight charges severely disadvantage farmers, especially when apple cultivation is becoming less profitable. They pointed out that farmers in Himachal Pradesh have limited transportation options and rely almost entirely on diesel vehicles to transport their produce to markets across India. Unlike other regions that benefit from cheaper railway transport, Himachali farmers face higher costs due to reliance on road transportation.
To address this disparity, the delegation made two crucial suggestions. First, they called for a strong regulatory mechanism to ensure that farmers are not overcharged for transportation. They proposed that all forwarding agencies, whether private or cooperative, should adhere to government notifications, with violations resulting in license cancellation. Secondly, they urged for a uniform freight rate across the state to prevent discrepancies in charges by different sub-divisional officers for the same distance.
Additionally, the delegation suggested the formation of special periodical checking teams, comprising police personnel, to monitor and enforce the regulated freight rates. This would ensure that the charges are properly recorded on the consignment’s challan and bilty, preventing any unauthorized overcharging.
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