Modi Cabinet okays extension of Market Intervention Scheme for apple procurement in J-K

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of the market intervention scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir for the current season on the same terms and condition as last season.

The procurement will be done by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd. (NAFED) through the UT-designated Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Department of Horticulture and Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation, directly from apple farmers.

Payments will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank account of apple farmers. Under this scheme, 12 lakh metric tonnes of apple can be procured, an official release stated.

NAFED has also been allowed to use government guarantee of Rs 2,500 crore for this. The losses, if any, to be incurred in this operation will be shared between the Centre and the Union Territory on 50:50 basis.

The Designated Price Committee constituted for last season will continue to fix the price of various variety and grades of apples for this season also. The Union Territory administration shall ensure the provision of basic amenities in designated mandis.

Smooth and continuous implementation of the procurement process will be monitored by a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the cabinet secretary at the central level and an implementation and coordination committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary at the UT level.