SHILLONG: Strict regulations will have to be followed with regard to operation of border haats along the India and Bangladesh border.
An official document said that the size of the border haats will generally be 75×75 meters on the zero line on pre-identified locations having an area which will approximately be equal on both sides of the zero line.
The border haats will have two entry/exit points, one from Indian territory for Indian citizens and another from Bangladesh territory for Bangladeshi citizens.
Keeping in view the objective of border haats, only residents of the area within 5 km radius from the location of border haat will be allowed to sell their products as vendors in the border haats and the number of vendors would be limited to 50 from each country.
The lists of vendors will be exchanged by the respective haat management committee.
The number of vendees from both sides will be regulated with the objective to ensure that border haats will not be overcrowded. Border haats will be held on every fixed day of a week as mutually decided between the haat management committees.
Vendors and vendees in border haats will carry photo identity cards and the format of the photo identity cards will be exchanged through diplomatic channels. The holders of photo identity cards of one country may only enter into the border haat area and shall not be allowed to enter into the territory of the other country beyond border haat.
The respective haat management committee will ensure maintenance of entry/exit records of the vendors and vendees for concerned border haat preferably electronically.
At the time of closing of the border haats, the record will be checked to ensure that vendors and vendees who entered the border haats have returned to their respective countries.
The commodities sold in the designated border haats will be exempted from the payment of customs duties.
The official document said commodities will be allowed to be exchanged in the designated border haats in local currency and/or barter basis.
“Each individual will be allowed to purchase only as much of the commodities produced in Bangladesh/India which are reasonable for bonafide/family consumption”, the document said.
The estimated value of such purchases should not be more than respective local currency equivalent of US $200 (around Rs 14,347) for any particular day. This limit may be re-fixed by mutual consent.
Security personnel will not be allowed to enter the area of border haats except in case of emergency to be determined by the district magistrate/deputy commissioner of the districts adjacent to the designated border haats of each country or an officer authorised by him. There will be no restriction on the presence of security personnel outside the boundary of the border haats. Earlier, after the meeting of the officials from India and Bangladesh, the additional chief secretary, Rebecca Suchiang had informed that two border haats, Bholaganj and Ryngku situated in East Khasi Hills will be made functional by September and another border haat in Nolikata, South West Khasi Hills by December.
