Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday directed officials to explore the possibility of making payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for procurement carried out under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), aimed at benefiting apple growers in the state.
Chairing a meeting of the Horticulture Department, the Chief Minister said the proposed DBT mechanism would replace the existing non-cash payment system and ensure quicker and more transparent transfer of benefits to horticulturalists. He stressed that timely disbursal of payments would particularly strengthen small and marginal apple growers and improve their economic condition.
Sukhu also instructed the department to assess the estimated apple production for the ongoing season and begin advance preparations to facilitate orchardists. Officials informed the meeting that around 132 collection centres would be established this year for procurement of apples under MIS.
The Chief Minister directed officers to ensure hassle-free arrangements and set up an adequate number of collection centres for procurement of culled apples. He further emphasised efficient management and aggressive marketing of apple juice concentrate and other products manufactured by the Horticultural Produce Marketing Committee (HPMC) to improve the institution’s profitability.
He also asked the department to increase the number of auction centres for faster disposal of produce and directed officials to digitise the entire procurement process to enhance transparency.
“The state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of apple growers and has introduced several initiatives over the past three-and-a-half years for the welfare of the farming community,” Sukhu said. Officials of the Finance, Horticulture and Digital Technology departments, besides HPMC representatives, attended the meeting.
