Shillong, May 26: Opposition legislators in Meghalaya on Tuesday sought the intervention of Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma as traders have stopped supplying broomsticks due to imposition of tax by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

In a joint letter to the Chief Minister, four Congress MLAs – opposition chief whip, P.T. Sawkmie (Mawlai), George Bankyntiewlang Lyngdoh (Umroi), Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang (Mawsynram) and Kimfa Sydney Marbañiang (Rambrai-Jyrngam), informed that there has been a major crisis in the broomstick market because traders who are supplying broomstick have stopped purchasing from the farmers because since they have to pay Rs. 4,500 for the ‘transit pass’ issued by the KHADC.

On May 14, a general order was issued by the KHADC chief forest officer to the ranger in-charge Shillong Beat, directing that ‘transit pass’ on broomstick, bay leaf and other minor forest produces be issued.

The order also said that no transportation of minor forest produce should be allowed without having valid permission order and transit passes.

The Congress legislators however said that drastic decision taken by the traders has left broomstick farmers of the state at a big financial loss.

“In fact, there is still a backlog of the previous years stock of broomstick along with the current year at the Mawïong Regulated Market,” the MLAs said, while requesting the chief minister to take immediate steps and coordinate with the KHADC in removing the obstacle faced by the farmers.

Moreover, the legislators also urged the Chief Minister to direct the KHADC to refrain from issuing the transit pass as the broomstick has been exempted from paying any tax as per orders of the government.