Border trade gets big boost from Cabinet

The government on Thursday set the ball rolling to create an overarching authority for the building and management of integrated check posts for regulation of trade and removed hurdles in the setting up of industries in sub-urban areas of big cities. The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the introduction of the Land Ports Authority of India Bill in Parliament to set up the Land Ports Authority, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi announced after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The move, aimed at boosting trade with neighbouring countries, would give the authority legal cover to coordinate with the agencies concerned like the customs to construct, manage and maintain the Integrated Check Posts (ICP). The authority would be empowered to notify entry points on the land borders as... [read full story]