No PAP for Myanmarese urged at PMO meeting
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11 2013: Aimed at consolidating the trade relationship between India and Myanmar, a high level committee constituted under the Prime Minister's Office will propose to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for easing norms for Myanmar nationals to enter Manipur with similar appraisal to be formally placed before the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) .

At a meeting of the high level committee presided over by TKA Nair, advisor to the Prime Minister held on December 6 in New Delhi, a number of Indo-Myanmar trade-based issues were deliberated upon along with deciding to approach the Ministries concerned for exempting Myanmar nationals from the purview of Protected Area Permit (PAP), said an informed source.

It is said that State's Principal Secretary (Comm & Ind) O Nabakishore is the chairman of the PMO-backed Committee reportedly set up after visits by TKA nair to Mizoram and Manipur in May 2012 and the December 6 meeting reviewing report of the Committee put up to the PMO in December last.

The meeting viewed PAP requirement for entering North Eastern states as one of the impediments in the promotion of trade with Myanmar as well as improving people-to-people relationships.

On being highlighted that PAP comes in the way of Myanmar people's wish to visit Manipur for health-care, education, business, tourism, etc as well as contradicts the principle reason for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay direct flight service and bus service between these locations, the PMO's advisor suggested that the matter be taken up by the MHA.

Significantly, the MEA representative at the meeting was in favour of lifting the PAP for Myanmar nationals, said the source.

Regarding development of Integrated Check Post at Moreh, MHA's department of Border Management Secretary set November 2015 target for completing the project.

The meeting also noted brief stalling of the ICP work consequent to objections raised by Myanmar along with stressing on fencing the entire boundary near the ICP in order to serve the purpose for setting up the check post.

After perusal, TKA nair proposed that the MEA take up the issue with Myanmar at the earliest possible.

Principal Secretary O nabakishore on his part explained to the Central officers about belated start of the ICP project inspite of requisite land (45.5 acre) handed over to the Assam Rifles in June 2010 .

In addition to highlighting need for early completion of the ICP for facilitating swift procedural clearance on immigration and visa-on-arrival issues, warehouse for trade, etc, the Principal Secretary is said to mentioned that actual ICP development work started in March 2013 thereby necessitating revision of the completion target from March 2015 to November the same year.

With IGAR (South) also a participant at the meeting, the General officer assured to provide all possible security cover for the ICP work but pointed out ensuring static guard is beyond the prerogative of the para-military force to which Nabakishore assured State Government's cooperation on formal intimation from the Land Port Authority of India, the nodal agency for the ICP project.

Significantly opinions varied on security measures for the ICP project following IG BSF's indication that BSF personnel might be involved in the matter after replacing AR.

In response, Land Port Authority of India chairman categorically stating that it would be impossible to provide barracks to the BSF personnel hinted at provision of only office space and sentry post in the model of Attari, Punjab.

Intervening again, TKA Nair asked Department of Border Management to take necessary action and ensure requirement of security forces are considered.

Large number of security check posts along the Imphal-Moreh route was another issue of prominence at the said meeting with the IGAR (S) citing recent seizure of arms from a concealed container in a vehicle and threat posed to the security in response to Nabakishore's proposal that Assam Rifles reduce number of check post to avoid delays in transporting baggage/consignment on the said route, conveyed the source.

Intervening on the debate, PM's Advisor directed that scanners mounted on vehicles be used by AR to scan baggage/consignment to avoid delays.

Proposal for increase in the number of indo-Myanmar trade items to 22, pending formal approval (notification) from the Customs (CBEC, Department of Revenue), was another agenda during which Department of Revenue's Joint Secretary aired objections against enlisting Chinese-made motorcycles and cars below 1000 CC as import items to India.

Negating the Central official's viewpoint, Nabakishore reportedly clarified that rather than Chinese vehicles, Indian bikes are in greater demand in Myanmar due to superior quality.

Based on the debate, DGFT and Revenue Department authorities were directed to resolve the issue of notification by the latter.

issue of setting up Timber park in Manipur was also disputed with the MEA citing likely prohibition on export of timber logs by Myanmar for the proposed project likely to be infeasible to which Nabakishore contended that the project could be a component of the 400-acre multi-product SEZ, also comprising of the timber park.

The Principal Secretary also explained that there is no ban on import of timber from Myanmar to Manipur through Land Customs Station at Moreh as guidelines prescribed by the High Powered Committee imply that the import activities should be in strict compliance with the guidelines.

Intervening again, the PM's Advisor asked all concerned that a project report on the matter be submitted to the Centre by the State for examination and considering further action for funding, etc.

Construction of better bridges and ensuring better road network in the border areas had the approval of all those present at the said meeting proceedings of which will be reviewed in February 2014 .

Comment