Shimla, September 29: The Himachal Pradesh Kisan Congress will raise the issues and concerns of farmers and horticulturists across the state, Kisan Congress state president Ravi Sharma said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan here, Sharma alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances to apple growers of Himachal Pradesh had not been fulfilled. He said that instead, a reduction in import duties on apples coming from abroad had increased competition for local growers, making it difficult for them to get remunerative prices for their produce.
Sharma said the Kisan Congress was being expanded across the state and that the Shimla district unit was being constituted. The formation of district and block-level committees is in its final stage, he added. He said the organisation would work to strengthen the Congress while raising issues concerning farmers and horticulturists.
Shimla Rural District Congress Committee president Hari krishan Himral said the Kisan Congress was emerging as an important voice for horticulturists in the district. He alleged that the Centre had failed to fulfil its assurances regarding remunerative prices and protection of the interests of apple growers.
Shimla District Kisan Congress president Mamta Thakur said women’s participation was being ensured in the organisation. She said, being from Theog, an important apple-producing area, she was aware of the problems faced by horticulturists, particularly women. She added that imported apples were affecting Himachal’s apple economy and that the Kisan Congress would raise farmers’ and horticulturists’ issues up to the district, block and booth levels.
