(a) whether an empowered committee under the chairmanship of Commerce Secretary was set up to examine and process the recommendations of Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Border Trade; and
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Committee to expedite the recommendations of the Task Force and the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )
( a ) & ( b ) : Yes, Sir. An Empowered Committee under the Chairmanship of Commerce Secretary was constituted on 28.3.2000. So far four meetings of Committee have been held. The recommendations of the Task Force are being followed up in coordination with different Departments / agencies. The main recommendations which have been implemented, inter-alia include:
i. Under Critical Infrastructure Balance Scheme, Department of Commerce has sanctioned Rs. 6.53 crores for Development of trade related infrastructure including border town in North Eastern Region.
ii. A study of Identification of a border trade policy regime for North Eastern Region has been given to Assam Industrial Development Corporation.
iii. Under Export Development Fund for North Eastern Region Rs. 547.63 lakhs have been sanctioned and out of which Rs.289.16 lakhs has already been released.
iv. A seminar was organized in Agartala by Department of Commerce for Trade Promotion of North East and for boosting of exports in the North Eastern Region and Sikkim.
v. Six roads in the North East region have been declared National highways and action is being taken to upgrade and maintain these Highways.
vi. Commodity Boards have opened their offices in different States in NE region.