a) whether the Government has set up or proposes to set up ‘Border Haats’ in North Eastern States along the IndoBangladesh border;
b) if so, the details and the locations thereof, State-wise including Tripura and Assam along with the main objectives for setting up of border haats; and
c) the time by which these border haats are likely to be set up?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) & (b) Four Border Haats, two in Meghalaya at Kalaichar in West Garo Hills and Balat in East Khasi Hills and two in Tripura at Kamlasagar and Srinagar are functional at present. 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 (Raghna) and Kamalpur (Dhalai) and four in Meghalaya at Bholaganj in East Khasi Hills, Nalikata in South West Khasi Hills, Shibbari in South Garo Hills and Ryngku in East Khasi Hills.
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.
(c) The operationalisation of the six Border Haats depends upon various factors including, inter-alia, the cooperation extended by the local authorities and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
*****