After three years of closure, one of the two 'Border Haats' (markets) in Tripura along India-Bangladesh border will resume trading from May 9, officials said on Wednesday.
A top official of the Tripura Industries and Commerce Department said that after a recent meeting between the district officials of Feni (Bangladesh) and South Tripura, it was decided to resume the business of the Purba Madhugram (Bangladesh)-Srinagar (South Tripura) 'Border Haats' from May 9.
"Efforts were on to restart the Kasba (Bangladesh)-Kamlasagar (Tripura) Border Haat in Sepahijala district," the official told IANS.
The four Border Haats, two each in Tripura and Meghalaya, have remained closed since March 2020 after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdowns, causing immense loss to the people living in the bordering villages.
Both the Tripura and Meghalaya governments have been pressing the Centre to take up the matter with the Bangladesh government to resume the Border Haats.
The two Border Haats in Meghalaya -- at Balat (East Khasi Hills district) and Kalaichar (South West Garo Hills district) -- were reopened last year and both are functional once a week now.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel, recently in a letter to former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, currently a Rajya Sabha member, said that the Central government has raised the issue of reopening the two 'Border Haats' in Tripura to promote local business and livelihood of the people living on either side of the frontiers with its Bangladesh counterpart.
"We are continuously raising the matter of the reopening of Border Haats at Kamalasagar and Srinagar in the bilateral meetings with Bangladesh. We are hopeful of an early resolution of this matter," Patel had said in her letter to Deb.
Officials of the Tripura Industries and Commerce Department said that the officials in Sepahijala and South Tripura district administrations had on a number of occasions approached their Bangladesh counterparts to reopen the Border Haats as the Covid-19 induced situation has almost been tamed now.
Jaipur-based think-tank CUTS International, which has done several studies on border trade, had also recommended to the Indian government to resume these border markets the necessary precautions against Covid-19, as these markets boost the economy, cement ties between the people of the two countries and also check illegal trade.
These markets, spread in around 5,625 sq. metre area of the two countries' territories or "no-man's land", operate once a week on a fixed day.
In the weekly market, on an average, at least 25 vendors, including women from both sides of the border, sell their products.
According to the officials, 10 more "Border Haats" were approved along the India-Bangladesh border at Tripura and Meghalaya. Out of them, six are in Meghalaya, and four in Tripura.
Both Indian and Bangladeshi governments are keen to reopen more "Border Haats" in the four northeastern states -- Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Mizoram, which share 1,880-km border with Bangladesh.
CPI-M has mastery in misleading people: Tripura CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Manik Saha on Wednesday slammed the opposition CPI-M, stating that the party is a "master in misleading people", and it never acknowledges development.
Govt implementing multi-faceted plan for overall development of Tripura: CM
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that Tripura has now emerged as one of the fastest-developing states in the North Eastern region.
UP medical varsity introduces gold medal in Tripura CM’s name for meritorious students
King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow has announced to introduce a gold medal in the name of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha.
CM Dr Manik Saha chairs meeting to prepare road map for Organ donation and transplantation
In yet another significant stride towards boosting the state’s health sector, the Tripura government is mulling to prepare a road map for Organ donation and transplantation.
Republic Day parade: Tripura's tableau wins second prize
Tripura's tableau, showcasing the 'Eternal Reverence: The worship of 14 deities in the state- Kharchi Puja' at the 76th Republic Day celebrations, won the second prize.
Countdown to oust BJP, IPFT and Tipra Motha from power started: Tripura CPIM
In a show of political strength, the Tripura CPIM organized a massive gathering near Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan at Agartala; with state committee secretary Jitendra Chaudhury declaring that the countdown for the BJP, IPFT, and Tipra Motha’s rule in Tripura has begun.
Stampede at Maha Kumbh; 30 women injured ahead of Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya
A stampede-like situation unfolded on the morning of Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, resulting in around 30 women being injured as they made their way towards the Sangam for the Amrit Snan, one of the most significant rituals of the festival.
ISRO celebrates milestone with 100th launch of GSLV rocket, successfully deploys NVS-02 satellite
India’s space agency, ISRO, marked a significant milestone on Wednesday morning with the successful launch of its 100th GSLV rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.