Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) on Thursday held a meeting with senior officials of the Commerce & Industries and Home departments to discuss ways to strengthen and improve border trade.
The meeting was held at the Conference Hall, Lok Bhavan.
The Governor emphasised the need to improve border trade with a long-term perspective and stressed that adequate preparatory work must be undertaken. He observed that regulated trade mechanisms should be put in place to avoid future difficulties and underlined the importance of coordinated efforts to curb illegal trade and related activities.
Highlighting upcoming connectivity projects, including improved road networks and the extension of railway lines up to the border, the Governor said timely preparations are essential. He urged officials not to wait for the completion of these projects but to utilise the current period of relative ease to complete the necessary groundwork. He called for a comprehensive and consolidated plan that brings all related activities under a single framework and encouraged officials to continue giving their best efforts while assuring them of full support whenever required.
The meeting reviewed the progress and challenges concerning key border trade infrastructure, including Border Haats, Land Custom Stations, Integrated Check Posts and Land Ports.
Discussions also focused on institutionalising the Border Haat system, regulating currently unregulated trade and ensuring that well-prepared project proposals, along with detailed blueprints prepared by the Joint Working Group, are submitted to the concerned authorities at the earliest so that these initiatives can be completed without delay.
Those present at the meeting included Vinod P. Kavle, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor; Dr. H. Lianzela, Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department; Vanlalmawia, Secretary, Home Department and other senior officials.
