Shillong, June 24: The state government has declared broomstick as an agro-forestry product, according to a notification issued by the government.
The notification was issued by the Commissioner & Secretary (Forest & Environment department), Aldous Mawlong on June 14, in pursuance of the decision taken in the meeting chaired by chief minister Conrad K Sangma on May 7.
Tezpatta (Bay leaf) and Long Pepper were declared as mandated crops of the agriculture department recently.
“Reference to this department’s notification dated July 27, 2017, the Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to amend Schedule A1 and A2 of the Guidelines for Registering and Harvesting of Agro-forestry Plantations 2017 for liberal Transit Guidelines by including Broomstick (Thysanolaena maxima) in the Schedule A1 and A2 of the Guidelines,†the notification said.
Agriculture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh said with this decision taken by the state government, the long pending demand of farmers has finally been fulfilled.
“Now farmers will be largely benefited as they will no longer have to pay any tax for the transportation of broomsticks,†he said. But the minister said he is still collecting information on the total production of broomstick from the state.
Lyngdoh also informed that the department is still conducting a survey on broomstick cultivation to ensure that agricultural lands are also not affected.
The minister while refusing to comment on the failure of the previous government said, “We did it since we are a pro-people government.â€