Wansuk pleads for border haats

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha member from Meghalaya Wansuk Syiem on Thursday urged the Centre to set up four border haats  along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the state.
Making a special mention in the House, Syiem said the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation had already prepared a detailed project report for four border haats in the State expecting timely clearance from the Centre.
Two border haats were set up in 2012 on Meghalaya-Bangladesh border – Kalaichar (India)-Baliamari (Bangladesh) and Dalora (Bangladesh)-Balat (India).
During the UPA regime it was announced that the state will have four more border haats – two in East Khasi Hills and one each in West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills.
According to a Union Home Ministry report, India is keen to set up as many as 70 border markets near Bangladesh border.
Four NE states which share the border with Myanmar have also proposed 15 border haats along the India-Myanmar border to develop trans-border trade and business. Of the 70 border haats, 35 have been proposed along the border with West Bengal, followed by 22 along Meghalaya border, five in Tripura and four (Contd on P-10)