Apple growers’ dues: SIT helps recover Rs 10cr from commission agents

Shimla: The special investigation team (SIT), formed to trace commission agents who had allegedly duped apple growers of the state, has so far succeeded in recovering Rs 10 crore from the agents and returning the same to farmers.
In July itself, SIT has ensured return of Rs 45 lakh from commission agents to apple growers. Since the formation of SIT, 1,305 complaints had been received from farmers.
Following home department’s directions, Himachal Pradesh DGP on May 4 last year had constituted the SIT to probe the cases of apple growers getting duped by commission agents.From time to time, the Himachal Pradesh high court too had taken cognizance of the matter and had issued directions to ensure payment of dues to apple growers.
In 1,305 complaints received so far, 107 cases have been registered. At present, investigation in 475 complaints is in progress, police said.
Issuing an advisory to the apple growers, state government has requested them to sell their produce to the registered and trusted commission agents only.