Himachal Pradesh chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said his government was conducting a study to introduce universal carton for apple packaging.
The announcement comes two days after apple growers’association held a meeting in Rohru, seeking speedy implementation of the APMC Act and the introduction of universal cartons.
Addressing a delegation of the Theog assembly constituency, Sukhu said that various steps have been taken by setting up controlled atmosphere (CA) stores to save the horticulturists from exploitation by the middlemen and so that they could get remunerative prices of their produce.
The state government is considering setting up an apple-based distillery, which would provide an additional source of income to the horticulturists as they could sell under size and rotten apples for winery products, said Sukhu.
He said banks should work for the welfare of farmers by providing generous loans to them for agriculture, fisheries and horticulture sectors so that the rural economy of the state could also be strengthened.
CM Sukhu added that the state government, in its first green budget, made a provision of a 50% subsidy for the purchase of e-bus, e-truck and e-taxi, besides giving 40 % subsidy for setting up solar power projects ranging from 250 KW to 2 MW capacity in the State. He asked the Himachal Pradesh cooperative bank to provide loans for both these schemes liberally so that the youth can get self-employment avenues and play a pivotal role in realising the government’s resolve of green energy state.
He said the government was taking appropriate decisions and working for the welfare of every section of society. A provision has been made in the budget to provide financial assistance of ₹1.50 lakh to 7,000 single women for the construction of house, as well as loans at one per cent interest to meritorious poor students for higher education. He said that in order to increase its income, the government has auctioned liquor vends and imposed water cess on the state’s hydropower projects.
{{/usCountry}}He said the government was taking appropriate decisions and working for the welfare of every section of society. A provision has been made in the budget to provide financial assistance of ₹1.50 lakh to 7,000 single women for the construction of house, as well as loans at one per cent interest to meritorious poor students for higher education. He said that in order to increase its income, the government has auctioned liquor vends and imposed water cess on the state’s hydropower projects.
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