Banteidor against exploitation of farmers

SHILLONG: Giving a stern warning to wholesalers who allegedly resort to malpractice through illegal deduction of agricultural produce, state Agriculture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh said such wholesalers will be jailed if they continue the malpractice.
He spoke to the public at a join inspection conducted by the minister, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM HS Shylla, Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Pa’iem Ainam Manik Syiem, elders and government officers.
Stating that the farmers should lodge their complaints to the concerned authorities such as the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, he said, “The state government does not want to interfere in the affairs of Iewduh but the plight of the farmers resulting from the rampant deduction of agricultural produce, prompted us to intervene.”
Meanwhile, Shylla said the government like in the previous years should come up with fixed price for agricultural crops as the government depended on IAS officers who are unaware of the difficulties of the farmers.
“The IAS officers in Meghalaya do not know the ground reality except on paper. Such officers should be removed and appoint others who know better about the plight of the farmers,” he said.
On the other hand, swhen asked a wholesaler, Jessica Malniang refuted allegations of deductions.
“Due to the bad condition of the agricultural produce, we deduct 5 kg and not 10 kg or 50 kg as alleged. From 50 kg, we deduct 3 kg and from 30 kg, we deduct 1 kg,” she added.