The Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has sent a request to the Meghalaya government to raise the matter of taxes on broom with Assam in the disputed Block 1 and 2 areas, which are under the control of the latter state.
In a memorandum to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, the HBDRF said that Assam does not recognise broom as an agricultural product but a forest one and the Assam Forest Department and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council levy “exorbitant” taxes on broom as a result.
At present one pick-up truck of broom can be charged between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 in taxes, HBDRF chairman Chandame Sungoh said. Bad road conditions also limit the amount of broom a pick-up truck can carry and all this means that farmers of Block 1 and 2 are squeezed financially.
“We request the [Meghalaya] government 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,” Sungoh àdded.
