I am a retired army officer now growing apples in Chhajpur, Shimla. No, please stop being envious of me. Today my pension is Rs 15500/- per month after having put in 33 years of service plus 2 yrs of training.

The last lot of apples that we sold was at the rate of Rs 150 per carton weighing over 25 kgs. After calculating the cost of carton, trays used, plucking and packing charges, carriage to the road head, transportation to Delhi or wherever, tax to the HP government, 8% commission to the commission agent and some more allied charges, the cost comes to more than Rs 150 per carton. This does not include the sprays, fertilizers, other labor costs and our salary/daily wages. Today I went to the market in Panchkula/Chandigarh to buy some fruits and vegetables.

I was shocked to find that the apples that we got Rs 150 per carton (Rs 6 per kg) for, are being sold at Rs 60 per kg and above. May I ask the government as to how come the apple that I sold, as a grower at Rs 6 per kg is fetching Rs 60 and above to the fruit seller. Incidently, the 8% commission had been done away with by the previous government of Delhi, but was re-imposed by the present one. Why?

Don’t ask me. What does not stand to logic is the fact that the commission is being charged from a poor grower who as it is at the mercy of commission agents and is being harassed by all and sundry and not from the bulk buyer who only makes fat money doing not very much.

I don’t see any justice either to the grower or to the end consumer. Could someone be kind enough to explain to me the reason of this difference and suggest a workable remedy. And also tell me how to make both ends meet at this rate.