Shimla, June 16 -- Farmers and orchardists in Himachal are facing severe disruptions after the ministry of petroleum and natural gas issued temporary directives restricting the sale of petrol and diesel in open containers.

Following strict enforcement against dispensing fuel in cans and bottles, petrol pump operators are refusing to provide fuel in open containers. Consequently, the farmers are unable to use equipment such as power sprayers, power tillers, grass cutters, wood cutters, water pumps, and mini-tillers.

This is the season for spraying apple orchards-a sector contributing over Rs.5,500 crore to the state's economy, and denial to supply in open vessels is causing immense hardship for orchardists.

Congress MLA and AICC spokesp...