Stokes junks BJP charge of virus-infected rootstocks

The Himachal Pradesh government today rejected the opposition's charge that virus-infected rootstocks imported from Italy had been supplied to apple growers in the state.
Terming the allegations of the BJP asfalse and misleading, State Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes said a malicious propaganda has been unleashed by some vested interests.
"It is an attempt aimed at sabotaging the efforts of the government to bring about paradigm and radical change in the horticulture sector through the implementation of Rs 1,134 crore World Bank-aided Project for transformation and revitalisation of horticulture sector," Stokes said.
The minister said the project was designed to address constraints such as low productivity, lack of assured irrigation facilities, fierce competition from abroad due to free international trade, more frequent weather-related shocks.

The CSIR lab at Palampur in its report categorically and clearly reported that viruses which were suspected as per visual observations in few plants (5 numbers only) in one variety at PCDO Duttnagar had been ruled out and it was absolutely wrong to spread such ill-founded and baseless rumours in public, she said.
Stokes further said that the propaganda of BJP was ill-founded andwas not based on scientific facts.

The government imported latest improved varieties and root stock suitable for agro-climatic conditions of the state following competitive bidding process of the World Bank and it was ensured that planting material was disease free and for that these plants remained under quarantine for one year under the strict supervision of designated inspecting authority and the advisory issued by it was followed in letter and spirit.

Denying the allegation of "tearing hurry" shown by the project authorities withoutgetting the feedback from the farmers, the minister saidthat wider consultations were held with the growers, various stakeholdersagencies and farmers bodies.
Also, written feedback was taken by the Department of Horticulture from all its districts agencies regarding import of various varieties and root stocks.
As a result of this assessment, almost 60000 plants have already been distributed to farmersin various clusters across the state and hadthere been no demand for these varieties, the situation would have been otherwise.