Shillong, May 27: Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh maintained that broomstick has been exempted from tax.

Lyngdoh’s statement came after the decision of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to issue transit pass on broomstick compelling traders to stop buying broomstick from the farmers.

Lyngdoh convened a meeting with the KHADC to clear the confusion on the matter on Wednesday and he told reporters after the meeting that the government has already notified broomstick as an agro-forestry product.

“The notification has clearly stated that the item is free from any tax,” Lyngdoh said.

Meanwhile, KHADC chief Titosstarwel Chyne informed that the confusion was there, because no official information on the notification issued by the state government.

He said that he would soon convene an EC meeting for taking a decision on the issue.