Agartala, January 11 (TIWN): To review the last-minute preparations for inauguration, a joint team led by District Magistrate (DM), South- Dr. Debasis Basu today visited the Srinagar border haat at South Tripura district in Sabroom. During the visit, the team conducted a vital meeting where several decisions on security arrangements, reception, sitting arrangements for VIPs and VVIPs, parking zone, entry gate and many other matters were adopted, said an official source today.

Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would inaugurate the most awaited Srinagar border, first border haat of Tripura on January 13. Besides, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofil Ahmed along with other dignitaries would also arrive in state to attend the inaugural ceremony of first border of Tripura. Leaving no stone unturned, the entire administration of South Tripura district is gearing to mark the inaugural ceremony of Srinagar border haat.

To avoid any untoward incident and to keep close surveillance on the movement of the common people and vehicles during the inaugural ceremony of Srinagar border haat, a full-proof security will be arranged, said a highly placed source.

MLA Rita Kar, Addl. District Magistrate (ADM), South- RK Noatia, SDM Sabroom, Commanding Officer of Srinagar BSF BOP, BDO of Poangbari RD Block, PRI body of Srinagar Panchayat and many other officials were the part of joint team, said source.

According an official source, no local taxes would be imposed on the items to be sold in the haat and currencies of both countries would be used. Initially 16 items have been short listed which include agricultural and horticultural crops, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fish and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, hand-loom and handicraft items, the source added. Earlier, the residents of that area have demanded for selling and purchasing of dry fish in the border haat.

After Meghalaya, Srinagar border haat is the second border haat in entire North Eastern region. Altogether 50 persons (25 from India and 25 from Bangladesh) will be allowed to carry out their businesses. In the border haat, altogether 8 market sheds and an official building have been created so far. People living within a distance of 5 km along the Indo-Bangla border will be allowed to sell goods in the border haat. The facility was opened with an attempt to boost the bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh.

TIWN Pic Jan 11