The State Government has accorded its approval to release Rs. 7 crore as loan to the HPMC to carry forward with its activities on return basis. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister in a meeting held here under his Chairmanship last evening.
Chief Minister said that HPMC was the brand name of the quality and pure fruit products all over the country and the State Government was committed to strengthen the public sector undertaking in generating more income through its diversified marketing activities. He said that the HPMC had been producing pure apple juice which had earned name for itself amongst the consumers. He said that the HPMC was the one organization which was directly linked with the fruit and vegetable growers who had been supplying inputs to prepare by-products. He said that it was for the sustainability of the organization that the State Government had been extending liberal funds from time to time. He said that HPMC had bridged the financial gap by carrying its commercial activities in a more effective manner last year when the State had bumper apple crop. He said that the apple crop had gone down this season which was bound to reflect upon the activities of the organization as well.
Prof. Dhumal said that due to good reputation of the organization buyers trust HPMC products more than any other fruit products. He said that modern grading and packing houses had been set at Gumma and Jarol Tikkar while similar houses were being set up at Patli-Kuhl and Odi (Kumarsain) and in the near future such houses would be set up at Reckong Peo for apple packing and at Nadaun for vegetable packing.
Shri Ajay Mittal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shri Madan Chauhan, Chief Executive Officer, HPMC and other officers attended the meeting.
