Cabinet approves Apple procurement at ₹12/Kg under Market Intervention Scheme for 2025
Photo of cabinet 290725. Used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, July 29,
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved the procurement of apples at ₹12 per kilogram under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the 2025 season. A government spokesperson informed that under the same scheme, B and C grade kinnow, malta, and orange will also be procured at ₹12 per kg, galgal at ₹10 per kg, and seedling, grafted, and kacha achari mango at ₹12 per kg.
The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and aims to support fruit growers by providing a fair price for their produce and stabilizing the market during the harvest season.
Among other key decisions, the Cabinet gave its nod to induct 1,386 eligible Jal Rakshaks (Water Guards) as Pump Attendants in the Jal Shakti Vibhag. These include those who have completed 12 years or more of service as of December 31, 2024.
Focusing on disaster resilience, the Cabinet approved the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, chaired by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. The committee has proposed mandatory earthquake and hazard-resilient construction across the state and emphasized structural safety audits of buildings. Retrofitting measures will be undertaken based on the audit results to minimize risks during disasters. The committee also recommended integrating Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire Services, and SDRF with the HPSDMA for more coordinated emergency responses.
In the health sector, the Cabinet approved the upgradation of 18 day-care chemotherapy centres at district hospitals and Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans across the state to ensure cancer patients receive timely treatment closer to home. It also sanctioned the establishment of a 50-bedded Critical Care Block and a District Integrated Public Health Lab at Civil Hospital Tegu-behar in Kullu district.
Medical equipment supply was approved for Critical Care Blocks in Manali, Solan, Paonta, Dehra, Reckong Peo, and Hamirpur, as well as for District Integrated Public Health Labs in Solan, Paonta, Dehra, and Nagrota Bagwan.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of new milk processing plants at Nahan, Nalagarh, Mohal, and Rohru. A milk chilling centre will be set up at Jalari in Hamirpur and a bulk milk cooler at Jhalera in Una. Additionally, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system will be implemented in the Himachal Pradesh
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