The much sought after broom stick of Meghalaya has got a new status now.
The State Government has declared broomstick as an agro-forestry product. This was informed through a notification issued by the government which was made available to media on Monday.
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 last, according to reports.
“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.
According to the state agriculture minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, this decision taken by the State Government has fulfilled the long pending demand of farmers.
While adding that he is still collecting information on the total production of broomstick from the State, the minister further said that now farmers will be largely benefited as they will no longer have to pay any tax for the transportation of broomsticks.
Lyngdoh also informed that the department is still conducting a survey on broomstick cultivation to ensure that agricultural lands are also not affected.
Meanwhile, tezpatta (bay leaf) and long pepper were declared as mandated crops of the agriculture department recently.