Imphal, September 20, 2009: Even as inexplicable delay in issuing notification for an increase in the number of trade items has thrown a spanner to the development of the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade, through Moreh section of the international boundary, plans are afoot to begin construction of the Integrated Check Post at the border town from March next year.

The Customs Department is supposed to issue the notification that would officially entertain trade in enhanced volume.

Reminding that on November 7, 2008 the Centre had issued relevant notice pertaining to the addition of 18 more items to the trade list, thereby increasing the total number of items to 40, an informed source conveyed to The Sangai Express that similar procedural obligation is due from the side of the Customs Department.

Consequently, lethargy of the Customs had reduced the agreement between India and Myanmar authorities for boosting the trade volume/relationships to a futile exercise, as non-issuance of the notification is causing delay in the actual implementation of the agreement.

The source also revealed that there was no export of Indian goods across the border last month inspite of substantial volume of import from Myanmar and attributed the trade disparity as a direct fallout of the Customs Department delay in formalising the agreed terms for increasing number of trade items.

Further confiding that construction works for the Integrated Check Post at Moreh, with funding by the Centre, is likely to commence from March next, the source maintained that the recent visit of an official of the Union Home Ministry to Moreh had led to the development.

joint Secretary of the Union Ministry's Border Management Sada Kant visited the border town on September 14 to oversee acquisition of a 45.50 acre plot of land for construction of the Integrated Check Post, completion of which is being aimed at smoothening and boosting the trade volume.

Disclosing that the Union Ministry had already worked out and consequently approved provision of Rs 21.37 crore as compensation amount for possession of the plot of land, the source also reminded that Moreh is one of the four locations where Government of India is giving top priority to set up Integrated Check Posts.

The Integrated Check Post at Moreh would accommodate offices/personnel of the Customs, Horticulture, Agriculture, Industries, bank, police and the Assam Rifles.

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