Shillong, May 10: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday decided to ban the deduction of weight of agricultural produce.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the KHADC chief Titosstarwell Chyne with the members of the executive committee, Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Hills Farmers Union (HFU) and traders of Iewduh to discuss on the issue.

Speaking to media persons, Chyne said that the EC had decided to implement the notification of the Syiem of Hima Mylliem 2019, which barred all traders from deducting the weight of different agricultural produce that are being brought to Iewduh by farmers from different parts of the state.

Chyne informed that all traders must ensure that all farmers must empty their farm goods and must weigh their baskets or sacks separately to determine the weight of the goods and baskets or sacks separately.

“The EC has also decided to monitor the functioning of the local markets falling under its jurisdiction to ensure such malpractices are not encouraged,” said Chyne.

Chyne informed that such deduction of the weight of agricultural produce in the markets have to a great extent affected the local farmers and their income.

He added that the KHADC since 2021 had come out with a Bill in which an amendment was made to stop all forms of deduction on agricultural products and this Bill as of now is pending with the DCA.

“We will soon seek the audience with the state government, particularly with the DCA department in order to get the Governor assent for this Bill to bar all forms of deduction on agricultural produce in order to ease the burden of the local farmers” he added.