Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed officials to explore the possibility of monetary disbursal through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the procurement done under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
While presiding over a meeting of the Horticulture Department in Shimla, he said the new system would replace the existing payment method, where benefits are transferred through non-cash payments to horticulturists.
Sukhu asked officers to ensure timely disbursal of funds through DBT, and said that the step would strengthen small and marginal apple growers and improve their economic condition.
The Chief Minister instructed the department to assess the estimated apple crop production for the ongoing season and initiate advance preparations to support horticulturists.
The department informed that around 132 collection centres will be established this year for apple procurement under MIS. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure smooth arrangements and an adequate number of collection centres for farmers to sell culled apples.
Sukhu also stressed efficient management of produce and asked officials to market apple juice concentrate and other products of the Horticultural Produce Marketing Committee effectively to improve profitability. He also directed increasing the number of auction centres for faster disposal of produce.
He further instructed the department to digitise the entire procurement process to ensure greater transparency. He said the state government is committed to protecting apple growers and has introduced several initiatives over the past three and a half years for their welfare.
Vice Chairman of HPMC Surender Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Secretary Horticulture C. Paulrasu, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Digital Technology and Governance Dr. Nipun Jindal, Managing Director HPMC D.C. Rana, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap, Director Horticulture Satish Kumar, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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