Himachal govt may take action against Adani Group for manipulation in apple markets: Minister
Insight Online News
Shimla, Mar 28 : Adani Group got Rs. 15.98 Crore subsidy from National Horticulture Board to set up three Cold Atmosphere stores in the State between 2008 to 2011 without signing MoU and action may be taken against business conglomerate under APMC act, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi informed the Himachal Assembly on Tuesday. This subsidy was provided through NABARD, but no MoU was signed in this context, the Minister said.
Replying to a query raised by the Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore (Theog) minister said that “C.A. stores” has been set up by Adani Group in village Sainj, tehsil Theog; village Mehdali, tehsil Rohru and village Revali, tehsil Kumarsain, all in Shimla district. The Minister revealed that no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed about these CA stores by Adani Group and the government could not lay a copy of MoU in the house.
The Minister said that Adani Group could be dealt under APMC act for manipulation in the apple markets and the government may take up action within APMC provision. Minister assured the member that the government would see if MoU could be signed at this stage to relieve the affected apple growers.
Earlier raising this issue in the assembly during question hours Member of Assembly from Theog alleged that Adani Group is manipulating apple prices by causing slump in the markets. He said that the group remained silent during the apple season in the low belt and farmers could fetch remunerative prices however as apple crops of the mid belt hit the market the group declared its apple rate leading to massive slumps on the markets.
Raising supplementary query about MoU from his own government Mr Kuldeep Singh Rathore stated that if MoU did not exist why state could not sign fresh MoU with the group in order to stop the manipulation in the apple markets. He claimed that Adani Group is controlling Rs 5000 apple economy.
Former State Congress president also said that Adani Group was allowed after giving exemption under section 118 of Land Reform and Tenancy Act. To end the exploitation of middlemen and commission agents, the government had given exemptions under 118 with the hope that it would help apple growers, instead of manipulating the market and hitting their interest.
UNIINDIA
