Meghalaya Traders to Increase Price of Broomsticks

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Traders in Meghalaya have agreed to hike the price of broomsticks they buy from farmers. This comes after Meghalaya Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh in a meeting held with broomstick traders on Monday urged them to raise the price for the benefit of the farmers.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lyngdoh said that as the State Government has released a notification on June 14 last month recognizing broomsticks as an agro-forestry product, the government is not going to tax the product.

“As the government has waved the tax, the district councils also should not collect tax for broomsticks as it will affect the farmers,” he said.

According to him, a truck carrying 10 tons of broomsticks are being taxed by the council at around Rs 4,000-4,500 through its check gates.

“Since the government has recognized this product as an agro-forestry the council cannot collect tax anymore for broomsticks,” he said.

He said that if any farmer is being taxed by the district councils or different Hima’s through various check gates then the matter should be reported to authorities concerned.

“If the farmers don’t complain we will not have knowledge if they are still being taxed. However, they should approach the authorities so that the matter can be taken up,” he said.

He also informed that the Forest Department has also ceased to tax broomsticks once the notification was released by the State Government.

Lyngdoh however said that the traders have been asked to increase their buying price. However the price might differ from time to time because of the demand and supply mechanism.

Also Read: Traders Sans Licence To Face Shut: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC)