An Apple Packing Grading House having facility of controlled atmosphere stores would be set up at Kharapathar in Shimla district which would benefit the farmers especially fruit growers of Jubbal and Kotkhai area. Vidya Stokes, Horticulture and Irrigation and Public Health Minister disclosed this while presiding over a meeting of Board of Directors of HPMC, here today. She said that this packing and grading house would be funded by the Union Ministry of Commerce.
She said that HPMC would provide quality cartons/trays to the fruit growers of the State through its outlets against the apples supplied to HPMC under Market Intervention Scheme. This scheme would be of great help especially to the marginal fruit growers as they would easily get the packaging material.
The Minister said that Techno-Economic Feasibility Reports had been prepared for setting up of 5000 metric tonnes juice extraction units at Chopal, Rohru and Rampur in Shimla district and Patlikuhal and outer Siraj in Kullu district besides Churah and Bharmour in Chamba district. These reports would soon be sent to the Government of India for funding.
Stokes informed that the revenue of HPMC had increased by Rs. 02.00 crore during April-May, 2013. The Board also approved release of revised grade pay to the employees of the Corporation pursuant to government policy. Non-official members of the Board, Shri Tarun Shridhar, Principal Secretary, Horticulture, Shri Jagdish Sharma, Managing Director, HPMC and other senior officers were present in the meeting.