Mahendranagar, June 19 :

It is learnt that Maoists make over Rs 20 million every year by collecting tax on the trade of yarsagumba in the Himalayan region of Darchula district.

Last year, the Maoists collected Rs 22,000 for every kilogram of the 9.5 quintals of yarsagumba traded, a Maoist source said.

Anyone can trade in yarsagumba after getting prior permission from the District Forest Office and paying a certain amount. However, as no one has sought such permission in the Darchula DFO, the office has not earned a penny in revenues from the yarsagumba trade, a staffer at the DFO said. On the other hand, the Maoist have assigned leaders and deployed a battalion of the Peoples’ Liberation Army to collect the yarsagumba tax in the region this year.

Maoists’ army has been guarding the area. “Maoist leaders and district members are in Ghusa and Khandeshwori to collect royalty,” said a person who arrived in Mahendrangar from Ghusa of Darchula.