Mr.Thakur criticized
the government's lack of preparation for the implementation of this rule at the
onset of the apple season. He pointed out that apple growers are now stuck with telescopic cartons, which have become
obsolete overnight, incurring significant losses. Thakur has called on the government
to repurchase these now-redundant cartons and compensate the farmers
accordingly.
Moreover, the mandate
for universal cartons has led to operational hurdles, with commission agents
refusing apples packed in the old telescopic cartons, causing logistical and
financial strain for the farmers. Thakur highlighted the absence of clear
guidelines or alternatives, exacerbating the plight of both apple growers and
commission agents. He urged the
government to ensure the availability of high-quality universal cartons at
reasonable prices to ease the burden on the apple farming community.
Thakur also criticized
the government's historical oversight of apple growers' needs, referencing a
previous policy failure regarding the mandate for purchases by weight without
providing necessary weighing infrastructure at marketplaces, which led to
further discord and difficulty for apple growers.