8 Sep : A spokesman of HPMC has contradicted the news item appeared in certain section of press on 3rd September, 2010 about the shortage of packing material and transportation of apple procured under MIS.
Spokesman clarified here today that HPMC had made elaborate arrangements well before the commencement of Apple Season for the packing material and requirements of the growers was met as per demand received by the HPMC in the producing areas. He said that the rates for apple cartons as fixed in the beginning of the season of Rs. 36.50 per carton remains unchanged and was available at the same cost. He said that HPMC being a growers organization is making best efforts to provide the packing material to the growers and the Corporation is procuring 15-20 thousands cartons every day. Efforts are on to procure the trays also, he added.
He further said that the Corporation has already supplied 7 lacs apple cartons and 19,000 bundles of trays to the growers so far and efforts are being made to procure more material to meet the increasing demand due to abrupt escalation of apple crop estimates by the growers.
He said that HPMC has procured about 13984 MTs apple under MIS and had dispatched 10150 MTs for processing and sale to Parwanu so far. The Corporation has also operationalised sale center Pandranu for MIS apple during the season especially for the apple procured in Jubbal and Rohru areas, he added.
He further clarified that the Corporation has appointed a transporter by signing an agreement for the haulage of MIS fruit from these area and the fruit is being lifted from collection centres. He said that in view of the huge arrivals of fruit under MIS and to ensure subsequent lifting of fruit, the Government has also pressed into the trucks of different Government Departments for the timely transportation of fruit from collection centres. All out efforts are being made by the Corporation to lift MIS apples, he added.