Border haats in border villages soon: Dr RK Ranjan
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 30 2022:
Union minister of state for external affairs and education Dr RK Ranjan said that border and village haats will soon come up in different border villages of the state as part of the Modi government's policy for last mile development and make border villages vibrant.
Addressing a press conference held at his Kongba Nandeibam Leikai residence on Monday, Dr Ranjan said that opening of border village haats in different border villages like Jessami, Kwatha and Behiang would help improve cross border trade and interaction as and when the government introduces tax-free cross border trade.
Despite these opportunities, the most important task that lies ahead is tapping the opportunity by the people of the state so that their hard-earned money is not wasted, he said, while urging the people to get themselves prepared for availing such opportunities.
The central government has been planning to host a northeast dialogue with NE chief ministers, chief secretaries, academicians and entrepreneurs to identify potential products of all the north east states for export.
He will play a major role in providing linkage with international markets, Dr Ranjan said, while adding that they can also rope in Manipuri and Indian diaspora for this purpose.
Responding to posers from the media regarding the ineffec tiveness of cross border trade, the minister said that the Centre wants to expedite the process but the Act East Policy is delayed due to political instability in Myanmar.
Fresh tender for construction of 60 bridges along the Trans Asian Highway had been issued two months back and the government is working towards resolving the issue, the MoS said.
While noting that residents of border villages migrate to urban areas in search of jobs and livelihood consequently aiding illegal immigrants to sneak into and settle in the border areas, Dr Ranjan said that in order to resolve this issue he has been mounting pressure on the ministry of home affairs to issue ID cards to the residents of border areas.
Initiation of NRC exercise and setting up of population commission could also help in identifying illegal immigrant, he added.