Shimla, July 15
Shimla district administration claimed that all preparations were completed for the smooth
operation of apple season beginning now as a main control room has been set up at Fagu. The Govt has set a target to achieve apple production of about 3.50 Cr boxes of apple this year.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi chaired a meeting of officers and farmers unions at Shimla on Wednesday discussed about the operation being done. The DC said that apple growers and traders would be provided every facility in the markets keeping the Covid pandemic SoPs in preview. He said that concerned Sub Divisional Magistrate has held a meeting with the growers, unions of Trucks and Pickup vehicles operator in the region for smooth transportation of season.
Main control room for the season was been set up at Fagu for purpose of monitoring the activities of the apple season. In addition to this check post cum sub-control room has been set up at Shoghi, Giripul,Narkanda, Sadupul, Balag and Kudu.
The sub control room has been equipped with software for recording IDs of Drivers, no of apple boxes, collection of funds and registration the arrival and departure of vehicles to assist the apple growers. This would ensure transparency in the apple season and safeguard gardeners from the cheating bring done by fake traders and commission
agents.
To ensure the safety of traders, farmers and other stakeholders during the Covid pandemic all sub containment official would issue instructions to ensure SoPs issued by the Government provided it would not cause inconvenience to the smooth operation of season.
The necessary guidelines have been issued to police department to tackle the traffic jams.
DC said that in order to allow smooth and effective transport of apple loaded trucks all main and link roads have been repaired in the district Shimla moreover instructions have been issued to Public Works departments to take preventive measures due to ongoing rainy season for smooth flow of transportation and traffic.
Apple production is the back bone of hill economy as it runs the livelihood of about 3.50 to 4 lakh house holds and contribute about Rs 3500 Cr to state GDP annually. Shimla, Kullu, Mandi,Chamba, Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti and Sirmour district are apple producing districts in the state and Shimla contributes half of the total production. Apple season run from Mid of July to End of October every year.
