SHILLONG: Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh has urged the traders to increase the rate of broomstick since it is exempted from tax.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the traders of Mawiong Regulated Market on Monday, he said the increase in the rate of broomstick renders the much needed financial boost to farmers who are often suppressed by middlemen in addition to the transportation costs incurred by them.
With broomstick being declared an agro-forestry product, it is exempted from any tax and maintained that toll gates of various Himas cannot charge any tax on broomstick.
Lyngdoh said the farmers should report if the new rule is not followed by the toll gates.
Meanwhile, a trader from Mawiong Regulated Market, S.P. Chaudhury told reporters that the price of broomstick has gone up as last year as the price which was Rs 35/Rs 40 is now Rs 60 and above for the first quality.
“We told the minister that the price depends on demand and supply, when the supply was too much like last year, the price went down and this year the supply was less and the price is better,” he said.
Chaudhury informed that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) used to issue a Transit Pass wherein the traders had to pay Rs 4000 per truck.
However, following the government’s order, the burden of paying the transit pass has been lifted.
When asked, he said the traders buy produce from the farmers and supply outside the state. Farmers from East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, Jaintia Hills would visit the market and supply their products at Mawiong, he added.
