From Our Correspondent
TURA: The Farmers Association, Adokgre, West Garo Hills along with 42 headmen under the jurisdiction of the GHADC have served an ultimatum to GHADC CEM, P K Sangma, demanding the immediate removal of monopoly imposed on broomstick and other agricultural produce by the Council.
Farmers Association general secretary, Sengte A Sangma in a communique stated that monopoly in the broomstick market and other agricultural produce by the GHADC is ruining the economy and lives of thousands of marginal farmers in Garo Hills. He maintained that the exclusive monopoly power granted by GHADC to a single party to control the entire broomstick market and other agro-products was a blunder akin to the ‘zamindari system’ prevalent during British India.
Sangma informed that owing to the monopoly, broom sticks from farmers in Garo Hills were bought at Rs 4-Rs 5 per kg whereas the wholesale market price for the same is much higher at Rs 80 per Kg. This, he said, was not acceptable adding that the market price should have been determined by supply and demand which would have automatically played a crucial role in adding value to the commodities sold.
The Farmers Association is backed by NGOs and Civil Societies comprising of GSU, CSWO and ADE among others.