Apple freight up 15 per cent in Himachal

Shimla : Giving into pressure from the transport lobby the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to hike transportation costs of apple in and outside the state by 15 per cent .

 This decision was taken by the Shimla deputy commissioner Dinesh Malhotra after he met transporters and farmers here Monday .

 “In view of inflation and rise in prices of diesal it has been proposed to raise freight charges of heavy vehicles by 15 per cent this year ,” said Malhotra .

 Most of the apple produce is shipped out every year by trucks from all over northern India .

 Apple farmers raised concerns about digging of roads at several places in the apple belt for laying of telecom cables .

 The apple harvest will start later this month and will continue till early October . Shimla district alone accounts for 80 per cent of the state’s apple production .