Shimla News : Apple Growers Protest in Shimla, Seek 100% Import Duty to Protect Himachal’s Orchard Economy

The Himachal Kisan Sabha and the Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, demanding the imposition of a 100 per cent import duty on apples to protect local growers. The protesters also sought compensation for families affected by four-lane highway construction and the allotment of land to landless farmers.

Hundreds of members associated with the two organisations took out a march from Talland to the Secretariat, raising slogans against what they described as the government’s anti-farmer policies. Barricades were erected near the Secretariat, leading to the complete halt of traffic on the Chotta Shimla–Sanjauli Road for several hours and causing inconvenience to commuters.

Addressing the gathering, former Theog MLA and CPM leader Rakesh Singha said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with New Zealand in December 2025 had put the livelihoods of over 2.5 lakh orchardists in Himachal Pradesh at risk. He warned that increased imports could severely impact the state’s apple economy, valued at around ₹5,500 crore.

Singha also accused the government of failing to frame a policy for landless farmers despite directions from the Supreme Court.

Highlighting the damage caused by four-lane highway projects, he alleged a nexus between the government, administration and corporate entities, resulting in widespread destruction and hardship for ordinary citizens. “Unscientific construction has led to building collapses in Bhattakufar, road subsidence in the same area and cracks in houses at Chalaunthi, leaving several families homeless,” he said.

He added that despite extensive damage, no action had been taken against the construction companies and affected families had not received compensation. Singha demanded an independent scientific investigation into the four-lane projects by expert institutions such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI), IIT Roorkee or IIT Mandi. He also called for a halt to unscientific construction and immediate compensation for affected families.

Following the protest, a delegation of the demonstrators met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The Chief Minister, after hearing their demands, assured them that the state government would consider the issues sympathetically.

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