Apple Growers Gherao Himachal Secretariat; Call for Rollback of GST on Fruit Packaging Materials

Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh gheraoed the state secretariat in Shimla on Friday, demanding that the GST levy on fruit packaging materials be repealed. According to authorities, apple growers and orchard owners protested outside the secretariat under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Manch (SKM), causing disruptions in local transportation services.

According to them, the bus service on Sanjauli's old bus stand was suspended for a few hours due to a gathering of agitators. Aside from the removal of GST on items used for packing fruits, flowers, and vegetables, apple growers demanded that a steep price increase on trays be reversed.

Other demands included the implementation of a Kashmir-style MIS scheme for purchasing grade A, B, and C apples, a 100% increase in apple import duty from the current 50%, and strict implementation of the APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Act in the state.

The apple growers also demanded that no fees be charged at barriers and that the Shogi barrier is closed. After senior-level discussions with the government, the SKM stated that they are giving the government 10 days to address their issues; if appropriate solutions are not found by that time, they will organize a larger protest, including a jail bharo andolan.

Apple farmers claim that the arbitrary grading of farm products cheats them because even better-quality produce is relegated to a lower category, which results in a lower price.

Along with their counterparts from Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, apple growers have been pressing for a considerable increase in import taxes on apples in order to protect Indian apple growers from unfair competition. During the most recent protest, this demand was reiterated.