Shimla, May 19 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said he would write to the Union government and the prime minister, seeking a ban on apple imports from Turkey.

Horticulturists worked very hard to make Himachal Pradesh an apple-growing state and growers feel disheartened when their produce do not fetch remunerative prices, he told reporters.

"For the past some time, apples imported from Turkey and America have hit apple growers of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir … I will write to the Union government and the prime minister to ban apple imports from Turkey," Sukhu said.

"On May 24, the prime minister has convened a meeting of all chief ministers and I will personally speak to him in this regard," he added.

The apple industry in Himachal Pradesh is estimated to be worth Rs 4,500 crore.

Sukhu also said offices of all regulatory authorities such as those governing GST and real estate would be shifted out of Shimla to decongest the city.

However, government departments will remain in the city, he added.

Sukhu said women employees would be given the option to stay in Shimla and new employees appointed as well.

The previous BJP dispensation had constructed buildings at a huge cost that are lying vacant in Dharamshala and Mandi and those will be utilised, the chief minister said.

Welcoming tourists, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh was a peaceful and safe state and tourists were welcome to enjoy its fresh air and natural beauty. PTI BPL SZM SZM

Import ban request to protect domestic apple growers proposed, alongside relocation of regulatory offices to decongest the state capital. The chief minister will request central government action to ban apple imports from Turkey as a trade-protection measure to restore remunerative prices for domestic growers, asserting imports have depressed local returns. Concurrently, regulatory offices will be relocated out of the state capital to decongest Shimla while departments remain; women employees may stay in Shimla; and vacant government buildings in other districts will be repurposed to house relocated offices.