Shimla, March 19 -- In the last two years, about 3.43 lakh apple plants and rootstocks brought into the state illegally have been destroyed, said horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi in the state assembly during the ongoing budget session on Tuesday. He was replying to a query of Congress' Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore regarding illegal import of apple plants and rootstock.

Apple, Rs.5,000-crore industry spread over six districts, is considered the backbone of the Himachal economy. Rathore raised concern of apple growers that plants and rootstock were being imported illegally from Italy and other countries. Rathore expressed dissatisfaction over the written reply given by the government. He said that there is no mention in the reply ...