MDC seeks help on illegal collection from betel nut farmers

TURA, March 12: Rongrong MDC Rinaldo K Sangma on Tuesday sought the North Garo Hills deputy commissioner’s intervention and necessary action on the alleged illegal collection from areca nut farmers in the district.
In his letter to the official, the MDC claimed that illegal collection was being done from the farmers by multiple groups, including the Resubelpara Municipal Board, which he said had no authority to do so.
“It has come to my knowledge that lately, there has been multiple illegal collection of money by certain groups from areca nut traders around North Garo Hills. Also, the Resubelpara Municipal Board has been making illegal collections in the name of the betel nut monopoly. May I remind you that the GHADC is the sole regulator and authorised collector of taxes from betel nut trade and no other state government branch or even the municipal board is authorised to collect taxes from areca nut or local produce,” Rinaldo pointed out.
Reminding that the farmers are already facing the brunt of illegal smuggling rendering betel nut per bag barely going for Rs 3500 this season, he urged the official to issue an order to halt all forms of collections around North Garo Hills.