Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar today alleged that agents of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council (KAAC) in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district have set up gates to collect illegal tax from broom grass cultivators in Block II area of Ri-Bhoi district.
“The Forest Department of KAAC has given lease to agents to collect taxes from broom grass cultivators. After collecting all details, I found that this is actually happening,” Marngar said in a letter to Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief executive member Titos Chyne.
Marngar alleged that agents of the KAADC are collecting illegal tax of Rs 8 per kilo which amounts to Rs 15,000 per pickup truck from the broom grass cultivators in gates they have set up in five villages.
According to Marngar, the agents of the KAADC have set up gates in Jatalong, Madan Umwang, Sabuda, Umlaper and Mawsyrdiang villages with the sole intention of collecting illegal tax from broom grass cultivators.
These villages fall under the disputed Block II area adjacent to Mawhati constituency.
“The farmers of these areas earn their livelihood from broom grass cultivation. Currently, this is the period when they go to sell their broom grass. The imposition of tax of Rs 15,000 per pickup truck has put them in a great hardship,” Marngar said.
According to Marngar, broom grass is not a forest produce according to a notification of the Meghalaya government.
