By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The 2nd Joint Kalaichar / Baliamari Border Haat Management Committee meeting was held on Thursday where it was chaired by Sanjay Goyal, DC, West Garo Hills and attended by counterpart Md. Habibur Rehman, DC, Kurigram District, Bangladesh besides other officials from the respective countries from industries, customs and commerce departments.
Following the meeting, it was concluded that pending confirmation of the Central government of both the countries, the tentative date for the inauguration of the Border Haat would be July 16, subject to changes. It was decided that the first Wednesday (Haat Week Day) after the day of inauguration, would be fixed as the first Haat operation date.
The time schedule of the Haat operation would be summer (March – September: 09:30 am to 03:30 pm) and winter (October – February: 09:30 am to 02:30 pm). The DCs decided that a master list of about 1000 licensed vendees would be exchanged between the Haat Management Committees. However, only an upper limit of 300 vendees would be endorsed to attend the Haat day by each Haat Management Committee on a particular date/haat day. The Kalaichar Border Haat Management Committee provided the list of 25 Vendors and 69 Vendees to the Baliamari Border Haat Management Committee (Bangladesh) who in turn furnished their list of 25 vendors and assured to furnish their list of licensed Vendees latest by the next Joint Border Haat meeting. These lists would be continuously updated as per registration/deletions and would be shared with each other as and when updating is done. All the registered vendor and vendees would be issued an identity card especially designed for the purpose which would be issued by the respective district administration.The meeting between the two countries also discussed arrangement of dustbins and garbage disposal during Haat days, establishment of office of Haat Management Committee, finalizing a list of prohibited goods not to be sold, mode of money exchange besides issues such as, multiple entries and exit of vendors / vendees into the Haat would not be allowed. A police official not below the rank of Sub Inspector would be posted along with the BSF on Haat days for maintenance of law and order. Both countries would not allow use or entry of mobile phones and SIM cards inside the Haat premises.
The inaugural program would start off with the hoisting of the National Flags of the countries with the playing of their respective National Anthems.