Mizoram Cong: Govt misleading public on broom grass purchase

Aizawl: The Opposition Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Saturday accused the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) regime of spreading wrong information in the public on purchase of broom grass (thysanolaena latifolia), saying the adviser to the chief minister had claimed all the broom grasses harvested by farmers in the state have been purchased by the govt. State PCC treasurer Lalmalsawma Nghaka said adviser to CM (implementation of handholding policy) KC Malsawmzauva stated on May 1 that the ZPM govt, headed by CM Lalduhoma, had purchased all the broom grasses harvested by the farmers as promised and described the statement of Malsawmzauva as "unfortunate"."The state govt could not buy broom grass during the peak season when the farmers were harvesting and trying to sell. The govt later made arrangements for purchase of broom grass, through the Zoram Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (ZOHANDCO) by allocation of Rs 6 crore after the peak season. However, the broom grasses were purchased at the rate of Rs 80 a kilo rather than Rs 100 as promised," Nghaka said.He further said the allocated fund was not fully utilised as the peak harvesting season was already over by the time the ZOHANDCO commenced the purchase.