Shillong, Jan 8: The Hynñiewtrep Border Disputed Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has urged Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to take up reduction of broomstick tax with the Assam government.
In a letter to Sangma, the forum said that the Assam Government does not recognised broomstick as an agricultural product but is considered to be a forest product.
It further stated that the Assam Forest department and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Forest Department levy exorbitant taxes on broomsticks with Rs 12, 000 to Rs 15, 000 being charged per Mahindra Bolero Pick-up Truck.
“Due to bad road conditions, the truck can carry only 1.2 metric tons (1200 kg) only while the tax comes to Rupees 10 (ten) to 12 (twelve) per kg. Thus, the Khasi Pnar people of Block -I & II bear a great loss and their hard work is in vain,” the forum said in the letter.
“Therefore, we request or urge you to immediately intervene before the time of selling of this product (January 2025) so that our farmers living in the disputed areas will get the right price they deserve,” it stated.
