The
Sayunkt Kisan Manch has taken strong exception to the Centre's move to
cut funds under the Market Intervention Scheme, and threatened to launch
an agitation if the budget for the scheme is not raised to Rs 5,000
crore.
"The Union government has betrayed apple growers of
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir by reducing the
budget under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) from Rs 1,550 crore
last year to just Rs 1 lakh in the Union Budget 2023-24," a
statement issued by the Manch said.
Under
the scheme, fruit and vegetable produce, not covered under MSP (minimum
support price), is purchased by the government, and the money is
provided by the central and state governments in 50:50 ratio, it said.
"The
decision of the government will harm the interests of apple, citrus
fruits, garlic, cauliflower, coconut, mustard, and spices growers, and
in case, the government does not retract, the farmer community will
launch a big agitation," the statement added.
