While Himachal Pradesh Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association has rejected the increase describing it as irrational, Himachal Pradesh Fruit Growers' Association has welcomed the decision. Minister of State for Primary Education Karan Singh, who represents apple-growing area of Kullu, has also welcomed the government decision.

Sanjay Chauhan, general secretary of the HP Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association said a hike of 25 paise per kg was not acceptable given the increase in the cost of inputs like labour, fertilizer, pesticides and fungicides. Chauhan said the support price had increased by just Re 1 per kg since 1989, whereas the cost of inputs had gone up by almost 150 to 400 per cent during the last nine years.

"The association wants support price to be fixed at Rs 5.50 per kg for apple, Rs 6 and Rs 4 per kg for B and C grade of kinnows, respectively," he added. He also expressed concern that the government had not yet included mango and other stone fruits under the support price. "The apprehension of exploitation of the growers by the commission agents still loom large," he lamented.

He said the slow pace of work at the HP Agro-Packaging India Limited unit at Gumma would lead to shortage of apple cartons and suggested that packing material should be made available to the growers in advance. The subsidy should also be extended to all types of apple boxes and packing materials, he added.

He also demanded abolition of the market fee being charged from the growers and also demanded formulation of the horticulture policy by the state government.

Meanwhile, Minister for Primary Education Karan Singh said the decision would benefit the apple and other fruit growers in the state. He thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning Rs 1 crore for manufacturing of cartons in advance to avoid any inconvenience to the fruit growers.

Minister of State for Horticulture, Narinder Bragta claimed that the government would always safeguard the interests of fruit growers in the state. He described the reaction of fruit growers' body on rejecting the support price as unfortunate and said he would try to convince the growers on rationale behind the decision.

The Rajiv Gandhi Youth Forum has also welcomed the decision to increase the apple support price. In a joint statement its chairman S.P. Katyal and general secretary Budhi Singh Chauhan said that this would help stabilise the market in favour of growers. However, it was not adequate keeping in view the increased prices and the justified support price should have been Rs 4.50 per kg, they added. Both the leaders demanded that the procurement centres be opened well in time to facilitate the growers.