SILIGURI, June 16:
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has proposed setting up of business centres along the international border to facilitate traders and buyers in a bid to contain smuggling and build stronger bilateral relations with Nepal. About 25-30 traditional markets, set up along Bihar to Bengal border with Nepal, will now be modernised. Traders of both countries can sell unrestricted daily household goods for buyers of both nations.
SSB DIG, Ranidanga sector, A K Mallick said, “The proposal has been sent a year ago to the governments of both nations. Once we get the green signal, the work will be completed within two years.”
Addressing mediapersons from the two nations on the sidelines of a management seminar organised by the SSB 41st Battalion at Madanjote recently, he said cameras and CCTV will be installed in the markets for vigilance. He was of the opinion that smuggling will be curtailed after the business centres start operation. According to Mr Mallick, people from both countries face harassment during shopping and keeping this in mind the proposal was sent. “Smuggling is not an employment, it weakens the financial stability of the country,” he pointed out. The SSB was developing the markets that fall under the state government’s development plan. Mr Mallick said, “You must have seen what the government has done in the past 72 years to develop the border areas along India and Nepal.” (UNI)
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