(a) the details of total number of border haats which are active in the country;
(b) the total value of trade carried out with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar through these border haats during the last five years, country-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to open more border haats with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar in order to boost trade and people-to-people contact; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) & (b): Currently, four border haats are operational, along the India-Bangladesh border. Two border haats are located in Meghalaya at Kalaichar and Balat and two are located in Tripura at Srinagar and Kamalasagar.
The trade at border haats is permitted to be carried out in Indian Rupees/Bangladesh Taka and on barter basis, and data of such trade is maintained by the Haat Management Committee of the respective border haat. As per data furnished by the concerned State Governments, cash trade equivalent to Indian Rupees 1686.62 lakhs was carried out at the said four border haats in the five year period ending 2015-16.
There are no border haats in operation along the Bhutan and Myanmar borders.
(c) &(d): In addition to the four functional border haats, Government of India and Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh have approved six more border haats-two in Tripura at Palbasti and Kamalpur and four in Meghalaya at Bholaganj, Nalikata, Shibbari and Ryngku.
Government of India has also executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of the Republic of Union of Myanmar on establishment of border haats along their border.
The border haats aim at promoting the wellbeing of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries, by establishing traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets.
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