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Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal revenue minister holds meeting with farmer and orchardist organisations
A high-level meeting was held on Thursday between representatives of the Seb Utpadak Sangh, Sanyukt Kisan Manch and Kisan Sabha with revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi and to address various challenges being faced by farmers and horticulturists across the state. Himachal revenue minister Jagat SIngh Negi. (File) The farmer leaders said that on August 13, a massive statewide protest will be organised. The representatives urged that land in villages registered under individual's names in revenue records should not be treated as forest land. They further stated that Supreme Court in several judgments has directed to carry out proper demarcation before eviction and only after completing the due process should eviction be done. 'This is not just about apple growers. It's about farmers' rights, economic justice, and Himachal's future. Each block of the state will witness demonstrations,' said Rakesh Singha, convener of the Apple Federation of India and former MLA. Singha added, 'No other state in India is in such a dire position where the government cannot allocate even one inch of land. Today's meeting was a preliminary step to discuss how Himachal's survival as a state depends on resolving land rights and disaster rehabilitation.' After the meeting, Harish Chauhan, convener of Sanyukt Kisan Manch, said, 'The meeting with various farmer organisations was primarily to discuss the Supreme Court's stay on the felling of trees.' 'With the ongoing conflict in Iran, there might be reduced apple imports. Indian consumers are already preferring domestic produce. We must ensure our apples reach the market at the right time and quality to gain fair returns,' said Chauhan. The revenue minister has assured all possible support from the state government. He said that the government is committed to protect the interests of farmers and horticulturists and appropriate decisions will be taken in their favour. He further said that the additional chief secretary (Forest and Revenue) will soon hold a detailed meeting with representatives of these organisations to discuss each issue thoroughly. US tariff imposition: Apple growers seeks Centre's intervention Apple growers of Himachal Pradesh urged the central government to protect farmers' rights on US tariff imposition. 'The US has been threatening countries like China, Brazil and the Philippines with 50% tariffs. India too faces such coercion. We urge the Indian Government to respond strongly. We are a country of 1.4 billion consumers our market is our strength. US goods cannot enter our country on their terms,' convener of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch, Harish Chauhan.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
After SC stay on drive against apple orchards, Himachal Pradesh minister assures govt support to farm, horticulture unions on land issues
1 2 Shimla: Himachal Pradesh revenue, horticulture and tribal development minister Jagat Singh Negi on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of the Seb Utpadak Sangh, Sanyukt Kisan Manch, and Kisan Sabha, assuring them govt support in land-related issues. The meeting comes after the state forest department had launched a drive to fell apple trees in orchards which the Himachal Pradesh high court had found were set up on encroached forest land. The drive was stopped only after the Supreme Court had on June 28 stayed the high court order directing the removal of fruit-bearing orchards from encroached forest lands. On Thursday, the growers' organisations highlighted various challenges being faced by farmers and horticulturists across the state during the meeting. The representatives urged that land in villages, recorded under individuals' names in revenue records, should not be treated as forest land. They added that the Supreme Court, in several judgments, directed proper demarcation before eviction is initiated, and only after completing the due process should eviction be undertaken. The representatives also urged the state govt to actively defend pending cases in courts on behalf of farmers and orchardists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like IQ Worldwide - Test your Intelligence, know your IQ Score Try Now Undo The minister said that the govt is committed to protecting the interests of farmers and horticulturists, and appropriate decisions will be taken in their favour. He added that the additional chief secretary (forest and revenue) will soon hold a detailed meeting with representatives of these organisations to discuss each issue thoroughly. Shimla Urban MLA Harish Janartha, former MLA and CPI(M) leader Rakesh Singha, additional chief secretary (forest and revenue) Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Sanyukt Kisan Manch convener Harish Chauhan, Kisan Sabha president Kuldeep Tanwar, Kisan Utpadak Sangh president Sohan Thakur, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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)
