bdnews24.com :
After a delay of more than two months, the first border market, locally known as haat, in Tripura is likely to open on Jan 13, a senior official say here.
This will be the third such market along the India-Bangladesh frontier. In 2012 two ‘border haats’ were set up at Meghalaya-Kalaichar-Baliamari (India) and Balat-Dalora (Bangladesh).
“Tripura’s first ‘border haat’ is likely to be inaugurated on January 13 at Srinagar in Southern Tripura. The necessary infrastructure was put in place two months back and now it is ready to be opened,” said Special Secretary and Industry and Commerce Department Director Pravin L Agarwal.
He added, “Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and her Bangladesh counterpart are likely to attend the inaugural ceremony at Srinagar (140 km from Tripura’s capital Agartala).”
According to a Union home ministry report, India intends to set up 70 border markets along its border with Bangladesh.
The ‘border haats’ are allowed to sell agricultural and horticultural products, spices, minor forest products (excluding timber), fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items.
The governments of four north-eastern states have also proposed to set up similar 15 ‘border haats’ along the India-Myanmar border to develop trans-border trade and business.
Of the 70 ‘border haats’ with Bangladesh, 35 have been proposed along the border with West Bengal, followed by 22 along Meghalaya border, five along Tripura and four on the Assam border.
Works are in progress to set up another ‘border haat’ at Kamalasagar in Tripura and is expected to be ready within a month.
The cost of setting a ‘border haat’ is around Rs 2.20 crore to Rs 2.45 crore. India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry is funding the establishment of these markets.
After a delay of more than two months, the first border market, locally known as haat, in Tripura is likely to open on Jan 13, a senior official say here.
This will be the third such market along the India-Bangladesh frontier. In 2012 two ‘border haats’ were set up at Meghalaya-Kalaichar-Baliamari (India) and Balat-Dalora (Bangladesh).
“Tripura’s first ‘border haat’ is likely to be inaugurated on January 13 at Srinagar in Southern Tripura. The necessary infrastructure was put in place two months back and now it is ready to be opened,” said Special Secretary and Industry and Commerce Department Director Pravin L Agarwal.
He added, “Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and her Bangladesh counterpart are likely to attend the inaugural ceremony at Srinagar (140 km from Tripura’s capital Agartala).”
According to a Union home ministry report, India intends to set up 70 border markets along its border with Bangladesh.
The ‘border haats’ are allowed to sell agricultural and horticultural products, spices, minor forest products (excluding timber), fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items.
The governments of four north-eastern states have also proposed to set up similar 15 ‘border haats’ along the India-Myanmar border to develop trans-border trade and business.
Of the 70 ‘border haats’ with Bangladesh, 35 have been proposed along the border with West Bengal, followed by 22 along Meghalaya border, five along Tripura and four on the Assam border.
Works are in progress to set up another ‘border haat’ at Kamalasagar in Tripura and is expected to be ready within a month.
The cost of setting a ‘border haat’ is around Rs 2.20 crore to Rs 2.45 crore. India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry is funding the establishment of these markets.
