States » NorthPosted at: Sep 24 2026 7:27PM


Solan apple payment crisis deepens as growers await dues; APMC oversight under scrutiny

Solan, Sep 24 (UNI) A payment crisis at the Solan Fruit and Vegetable Market has intensified, with 28 commission agents (arhtiyas) facing court proceedings over alleged unpaid dues to apple growers, raising questions over the effectiveness of regulatory oversight at the government-regulated market.
Apple growers who sold their produce at the Solan terminal market during the previous season said substantial payments remain outstanding. The affected farmers have submitted complaints to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), but allege that their grievances have not been resolved within a definite timeframe.
The delayed payments have created financial difficulties for growers, who depend on proceeds from the apple harvest to meet year-round expenses, including labour, fertilisers, pesticides, packaging and transportation.
"We brought our harvest to a government-regulated market under the assumption that the system would protect us. Instead, our crop was sold, the buyers made their profit, and we are left empty-handed," said Neelam, a resident of Sharog village in Shimla district.
Another grower from the Theog area questioned the regulatory mechanism, saying, "If the regulator cannot enforce payments, what purpose does the APMC serve?"
The fact that cases involving 28 commission agents are before the courts has added to concerns among growers, who say prolonged litigation is delaying the recovery of their money.
Farmers have also questioned whether the APMC could have taken stronger regulatory measures at an earlier stage. They have demanded action under applicable market regulations, including the use of bank guarantees, suspension or freezing of licences where permissible, and other statutory mechanisms for settlement and recovery of outstanding payments.
Growers have further alleged that inadequate monitoring may have allowed some defaulting commission agents to continue operating. Some have also raised allegations of possible collusion between market committee officials and commission agents. These allegations have not been independently established.
The growers have demanded that the authorities publish a comprehensive record of pending payment claims, provide a case-wise status of recovery proceedings and disclose the action taken by the APMC against the concerned commission agents.
They have also sought direct intervention by the authorities to invoke available guarantees and expedite recovery of the outstanding amounts, arguing that the money is urgently required to finance the next apple season.
The APMC's formal response to the individual cases and the allegations raised by growers is awaited.
The developments have triggered a wider debate over the functioning of agricultural market regulation in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the mechanisms available to protect growers when payments from commission agents are delayed or disputed. With the cases now before the courts, growers say regulatory intervention remains essential to ensure that recovery of their dues does not become a prolonged process.UNI AKP AAB
Tags: #Solan apple payment crisis deepens as growers await dues; APMC oversight under scrutiny
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