By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The farmers in Mawiong have alleged that the wholesalers at Mecofed, Mawiong have been suppressing them by bringing down the prices of the materials brought by them.
One farmer, Warning Jyrwa who trades broomsticks to the wholesalers at Mecofed said he had to return back home with the materials as he could not sell the brooms at such a low rate. “The brooms were usually sold at Rs 45 and Rs 35 but now they (wholesalers) want to lessen the rate to Rs 32 which means loss for us”, he said.
Following the complaints of the farmers, the Hynniewtrep National Achik Movement (HANM) Central Body led by its president Lamphrang Kharbani on Monday visited Mecofed to get the views of both the farmers and the wholesalers.
Wholesaler of broomsticks Mahavir Agarwal, denied suppressing the farmers by lessening the prices of the materials brought to this go-down. He however, mentioned that as the price of these materials is very high so they have no other choice but to argue to get the perfect rate.
The president of HANM, Lamphrang said the association will continue to fight for the rights of the farmers and not allow them to be suppressed by other people at the same time urged the government to recognize broomsticks as an important vegetation not as some random material
