Latest news with #SanyuktKisanManch
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal: Apple growers welcome Centre's decision to increase Minimum Import Price
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 5 (ANI): Apple growers across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday welcomed the Centre's recent decision to increase the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for imported apples from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 80 per kg. While the move was seen as a positive step to safeguard domestic apple farmers from cheaper imports, especially from Iran and Turkey, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of its implementation on the ground. However, several farmer leaders warned that mere announcements without strict enforcement could render the move ineffective. While speaking to ANI, Harish Chauhan, Convener of the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, said, 'Increasing the MIP to Rs 80 per kg is a welcome step by the Govt of India.' 'We have not received a notification yet, but if this step has been taken, it is welcome. But the bigger thing is whether it will be implemented on the ground,' he added. Chauhan pointed out that in 2023-24, the Centre had announced an MIP of Rs 50 per kg for imported apples. Despite this, Iranian apples landed in India at Rs 41 per kg and Turkish apples at Rs 58 per kg, raising doubts over whether the price control was correctly enforced. 'If the MIP of Rs 50 per kg were implemented on the ground at that time, they would have landed in India at the rate of Rs 85-90 per kg,' Chauhan explained. The Sanyukt Kisan Manch has urged the government to ensure strict monitoring and enforcement of the revised MIP. The group also raised concerns about the upcoming July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariff decisions under the Trump-era trade policies, which may result in zero import duty on agricultural inputs. 'If that happens, we won't benefit from the zero import duty,' Chauhan cautioned. 'We will benefit only if the import duty is 50% and MIP is Rs 80 per kg, and the same is implemented on the ground. Then apples would land at Rs 135-140 per kg in India,' he later added. (ANI)
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Farmers' Unions from hill states announce July 9 protest against possible zero-tariff deal with U.S.
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)[India], June 23(ANI): Farmer unions and apple growers from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand have jointly declared a nationwide strike on July 9 to protest against the possible inclusion of agricultural produce under a zero-tariff framework reportedly being discussed between India and the United States. Concerns among farmers have intensified following reports that the US has set a July 9 deadline for India to accept the proposal. Growers fear that allowing duty-free imports of apples and other commodities would gravely impact local producers in the hill states. At a meeting held in Shimla on Monday, various horticultural organisations from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir came together. They expressed apprehensions that the government's negotiations may compromise the interests of local growers. Former MLA and convener of the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, Rakesh Singha, said that fruit producers from Himachal and the All India Kisan and Mazdoor organisations will participate in the nationwide protest on July 9. Speaking to ANI, Rakesh Singha said, 'The July 9 protest is being supported at the all-India level by farmers and workers' unions. In Himachal Pradesh, fruit growers' unions and the All India Farmers and Producers Federation will also join. Our main demands include protecting farmers from the ongoing efforts to dispossess them of their land, opposing the proposed abolition of import duties, and ensuring a petition is filed in the Himachal Pradesh High Court against land evictions.' He also criticised the Central government for discontinuing the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in Himachal Pradesh, stating that funds had stopped coming from Delhi. 'This is a battle not just about import duties, but about saving livelihoods. The MIS used to support apple growers but is now defunct because the Centre is not releasing the funds,' Singha added. Voicing similar concerns, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, MLA from the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, said all farmers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are united on their issues. 'Farmers from Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir are united in this struggle. Fruit growers are already facing challenges in the market. Now, there are reports that the U.S. is pushing for agricultural goods to be brought under zero-duty tariffs. We are demanding an increase in customs duties, not their abolition. This is our own produce, grown through hard labour, and it deserves a fair opportunity in the domestic market,' Tarigami said the issue must be viewed in the larger context of inflation, declining wages, and the deteriorating condition of workers across industries. Tarigami added, 'Whether it's daily wagers or industrial workers, the working class is struggling. Trade unions will also be part of this national strike to demand an increase in minimum wages.' The Apple Federation of India has also called for unity among apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, stating that the fight for farmers' rights has now become a collective battle that cuts across geographies and regions. Yousuf Tarigami said,' We want our Members of Parliament to raise these issues in the Parliament. From the Prime Minister to every elected representative, they are all answerable to the people. If people are suffering and the Cabinet or Prime Minister ignores these demands, it will be a betrayal of public trust.' Tarigami asserted,'We will knock on every door, from the Prime Minister to Parliament to protect our rights. Our geography and climate may differ slightly, but our pain and struggles are the same. All farmers are united in this cause. This is a fight to save our orchards, our land, and our livelihoods.' The farmers' bodies have resolved to organise mass mobilisations and have appealed to all opposition parties and parliamentarians to intervene immediately in the interest of hill agriculture. (ANI)
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
NITI Aayog's suggestion on tariff-free US apple import is death warrant for Indian growers: HP farmers
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 17 (ANI): A major uproar has erupted among apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir following a recommendation by NITI Aayog to the central government to either significantly reduce or completely abolish import duties on agricultural produce from the United States, including apples and nuts. Farmers' groups in the Himalayan states are furious, calling the suggestion an existential threat to their livelihoods. Harish Chauhan, convener of the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, in a conversation with ANI, issued a sharp warning and said that it will be a death warrant for apple growers. 'If the central government accepts this recommendation, it will be nothing less than a death warrant for apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir,' he said. He confirmed that NITI Aayog submitted a report to the Union government two days ago, urging the removal of import tariffs on several agricultural commodities imported from the United States. These include chickpeas, pulses, apples, almonds, and walnuts. 'NITI Aayog has recommended that India should move toward free trade in these items as it would allegedly benefit the country. We strongly oppose this proposal. Apple producers from Himachal, along with growers from Kashmir and Uttarakhand, outright reject it,' said Chauhan. He added that importing Washington apples from the US already impacts the premium market for Indian apples. 'These imported apples directly undercut the premium price segment that our farmers depend on. Similarly, the almond and walnut markets of Kashmir are also affected. We reject the NITI Aayog recommendation in the strongest terms,' he said. The controversy gains further significance in light of the July 9 deadline, a three-month window granted by US President Donald Trump, concerning tariff adjustments between the two countries. Chauhan stated that this window is about to expire, and the Indian government must clearly explain what kind of negotiations it has conducted with the US regarding farmers' interests. 'We have received information suggesting that there is a plan to either reduce the import duty on apples to 15% or scrap it altogether. If that happens, horticulture and fruit production in all three states will be devastated,' Chauhan said. He urged the central government to resist pressure from the US in the ongoing trade discussions, emphasising that there is a need to relax farm produce and farmers should not be burdened. 'If changes must be made in trade agreements, they should focus on industrial goods like Tesla cars or Harley-Davidson motorcycles, not on agricultural and horticultural items like almonds, walnuts, pulses, poultry, and dairy. These shouldn't be sacrificed in the name of trade.' He added. Chauhan warned that if the government proceeds with this move, farmers across the country, not just in Himachal, will be forced to rise in protest. Referring to recent diplomatic visits, Chauhan expressed concern that the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India and the return visit by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to the US may have involved negotiations that ignore the interests of Indian farmers. 'If Donald Trump's suggestion is accepted and NITI Aayog's recommendations are implemented, it will amount to a death sentence for us,' Chauhan stated bluntly. He further criticised the policy think tank, questioning its intent and understanding of the rural agricultural economy. 'NITI Aayog claims to formulate national policies. But what kind of policy is this one blind to the realities of Indian farmers and gardeners? Is it trying to strangle the livelihoods of 70% of India's population? Are we expected to be sacrificed on the altar of trade deals? We categorically reject this,' he said. The issue will likely snowball in the coming days, with farmer unions threatening statewide and national-level protests if the government proceeds with any tariff relaxations that affect Indian agricultural imports. (ANI)
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Increase import duty on Turkish apples to at least 100 pc, Himachal CM writes to PM Modi
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 21 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the import duty on apples from 50 per cent to at least 100 per cent to discourage the import of apples from Turkey and to safeguard the interests of the apple growers of the state. He also urged that quantitative restrictions should be imposed on imported apples, an official release said. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh is known as the country's 'Apple Bowl' and is famous for producing delicious varieties of apples. The apple is the prime cash crop of the State and generates an income of about Rs. 4500 crore annually. He said that about 10 lakh man-days are generated due to the apple crop, thereby providing direct and indirect employment to more than 2.50 lakh families. Chief Minister Sukhu stated that apples are currently being imported from nearly 31 countries. About 5.19 lakh metric tonnes of fresh apples were imported during the year 2024, an increase of 500 times compared to the 1100 metric tonnes imported during the year 1998. He said that the import share from Turkey increased during the year 2020 and recorded the highest increase, 1.29 lakh metric tonnes, during 2023. He said that a substantial 1.17 lakh metric tonnes of apples were imported from Turkey in 2024, which is 23 per cent of the total apple imports. The Chief Minister said that apples from Turkey have been flooding the Indian markets in recent years, posing a great threat to the country's apple growers. The influx of apples from Turkey has not only undermined the competitiveness of local apple producers but also jeopardised the livelihoods of small and marginal apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Sukhu also said that he would personally discuss the issue of enhancing the import duty on apples procured from Turkey with the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit to Delhi. Meawhile, apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh have demanded a complete ban on the import of Turkish apples into India, citing Turkey's political stance during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Turkey had backed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in which India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack. Turkey has also provided military equipment to Islamabad. A joint delegation of fruit growers and farmers, led by Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch Convener Harish Chauhan, earlier submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and President through the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal growers seek ban on Turkish apples
The Sanyukt Kisan Manch, Himachal Pradesh, a body of farmers, on Tuesday sought a ban on the import of Turkish apples, citing Turkey's support to Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. A delegation of the SKM called on Himachal governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhawan in Shimla and submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the governor. Demands to ban Turkish apples have been gaining momentum across the state. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said he will take up the matter with PM Modi. SKM convener Harish Chauhan apprised the governor that India imports apples from around 44 countries, with Turkey exporting nearly 1.29 lakh metric tonnes apples to India annually. He said Turkey earns approximately ₹1,000 crore from apple exports to India. 'Turkey tops the list of countries exporting apples to India. It is hurting local growers. The farmers of Himachal, especially those in the apple belt, are the worst hit,' Chauhan said. The delegation urged the Centre not to reduce import duties on apples, highlighting past lobbying efforts by Turkey and the United States for zero duty. Chauhan called for the minimum import price (MIP) to be raised to at least ₹00 per kg and for higher import duties on apples from all countries to protect domestic growers. Expressing support, governor Shukla said the matter concerns the economic well-being of the state and the interests of farmers must be protected. He assured the delegation that he will forward the memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi. Kotkhai delegation calls on CM A delegation from Tharonk in Kotkhai area of Shimla district called on CM Sukhu and urged him to take up the matter of ban on import of Turkish apples with the Centre immediately. The delegation demanded construction of a link road from Koku nullah to Gharok and drinking water supply scheme from Katch nullah to Gharok. They invited the CM to visit the area. Sukhu directed the officers to prepare detailed project reports (DPR) for both the projects.
