Shimla, May 19 -- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the state will formally raise the demand to ban the import of apples from Turkey during the Prime Minister's meeting with all Chief Ministers scheduled for May 24.

Addressing mediapersons in Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu said the state will take up the matter strongly, as Turkish apples have severely impacted local horticulturists.

"The Honourable Prime Minister has called a meeting with all Chief Ministers on the 24th. I will personally write a letter, and we will take up this matter. We want a complete ban on the import of Turkish apples," said Sukhu.

The Chief Minister emphasised that farmers and orchardists in Himachal Pradesh have worked hard ov...