Cabinet okays revised pact with Bangladesh to set up border haats

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet today approved revised MoU between India and Bangladesh for establishing border haats.

"The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the Revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Mode of Operation (MoO) between India and Bangladesh for establishing Border Haats on India-Bangladesh border," an official statement said.

According to the statement, border haats aim at promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries by promoting traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets.

These measures help improve economic well-being of marginalised sections of society, it added.

Currently, four border haats are operational, two each in Meghalaya and Tripura.

These were established and operationalised under the MoU and Mode of Operation of Border Haats signed between Bangladesh and India on October 23, 2010.

Subsequently, an Addendum to Mode of operation of Border Haats was also signed on May 15, 2012.

The Revised MoU and Mode of Operation will provide a legal framework for establishment and operationalisation of additional border haats, it added.