Shimla: State government had released an amount of Rs. 3, 75,71,804 to clear the entire payment of apple procured under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) through the procuring agencies i.e. HPMC and HIMFED to the fruit growers for the year 2011. This was disclosed by Horticulture Minister, Shri Narender Bragata here today.

He said that the State government was committed for the welfare of fruit growers and every possible assistance was being provided by the Government to them from time to time. He said that the State Government had released the first instalment of Rs. 72, 47000 on 27th March, 2012 and second instalment of Rs. 20850977 on 5th May, 2012. Remaining amount of Rs. 94,73,827 was also released on 21st May, 2012. With this, state government had released the entire amount due under MIS to the fruit growers of the state for the year 2011. He said that out of Rs. 2,69,18,358 had been released to HPMC and Rs. 1,06,53,446 to HIMFED.

Shri Bragata said that state government had made an allocation of Rs. 14 crore for MIS this year i.e. 2012-13 and added that additional money will be provided if needed to ensure timely payment to the apple and other fruit growers. He said that to facilitate fruit growers to transport fruit from interior areas of the state to the markets, a survey would be conducted for possibility of use of aerial ropeways so as to transport fruit to the road head.