Lok Sabha Question No. 1617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Land Custom Stations in Meghalaya
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Vincent H Pala

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1617

To be answered on Monday, 31 st July 2023/ Sravana 9, 1945 (Saka)

## Land Customs Stations in Meghalaya

## 1617. SHRI VINCENT H. PALA

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  and  the  numbers  of  Land  Customs  Stations  (LCSs)  in  Meghalaya, name/location-wise;
- (b)  the type of trade/items allowed to be traded from a particular LCS in Meghalaya;
- (c)  whether fish is allowed to be imported from Bangladesh to India via Meghalaya;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  the number of new proposals awaiting for approval from the Government to open LCS in Meghalaya; and
- (f)  whether the Government has any plan to improve and expand the LCS in Meghalaya, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  There are 12 Land Customs Stations notified in the State of Meghalaya vide Notification No.  63/94-Customs  (N.T.)  dated  21.11.1994,  as  amended.  They  are  located  at  the international  border  with  Bangladesh.  The  names  and  locations  are  attached  at Annexure. Out of the aforesaid 12 Land Customs Stations,
- (i) 3 LCS, namely, Bholaganj, Ryngku and Balat, also have Border Haat; and
- (ii) 2 LCS, namely, Nalikata and Kalaichar, have only Border Haat.
- (b)  The Foreign Trade Policy and relevant laws of India such as the Livestock Importation Act,  1898;  the  Plant  Quarantine  (Regulation  of  Import  into  India)  Order,  2003;  the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914; the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; the Environment Protection Act, 1986; the Narcotics Drugs  and  Psychotropic  Substance Act,  1985  etc.  lay  down  restrictions  pertaining  to export/import  which  are  applicable  to  all  land  customs  stations  including  those  in Meghalaya.

Bangladesh Government also issues notifications from time to time on which items can be imported into Bangladesh from India through these LCS.

The following goods are allowed to be traded at the notified Border Haats:

- (i) locally produced vegetables, fruits, food items, spices;
- (ii) minor  local  forest  produce  including  bamboo,  bamboo  grass  and  broom  stick  but excluding timber;

(iii) produce of local cottage industry including gamcha, lungi and the like; (iv) small  locally  produced  agricultural  household  implements  including  dao,  plough, axe, spade, chisel and the like; and (v) locally  produced  garments,  melamine  products,  processed  food  items,  fruit  juice and the like. (c)  Import of fish through any of the Land Customs Stations in Meghalaya is not allowed by the  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  in  terms  of  the  Livestock Importation Act, 1898. (d)  Not applicable in view of Part (c) above. (e)  Opening of new LCS entails assessment of trade potential and infrastructure. It involves inter-Ministerial  consultations.  Further,  consent  of  the  neighbouring  country  is  a  prerequisite. Thus, question does not arise. (f)  The Government is committed to improving the trade infrastructure, including providing EDI connectivity, at the LCS in Meghalaya. Mahendraganj, Dalu and Dawki are already EDI  connected.  In  addition,  the  Land  Ports  Authority  of  India  has  the  mandate  to upgrade the existing LCS into ICP (Integrated Check Post).

- ******

Annexure

|   S.No. | Name of LCS   | District               |
|---------|---------------|------------------------|
|       1 | Baghmara      | South Garo Hills       |
|       2 | Ghasuapara    | South Garo Hills       |
|       3 | Mahendraganj  | South West Garo Hills  |
|       4 | Dalu          | West Garo Hills        |
|       6 | Barsora       | South West Khasi Hills |
|       6 | Dawki         | Jaintia Hills          |
|       7 | Shella Bazar  | East Khasi Hills       |
|       8 | Bholaganj*    | East Khasi Hills       |
|       9 | Ryngku*       | East Khasi Hills       |
|      10 | Balat*        | East Khasi Hills       |
|      11 | Nalikata**    | South West Khasi Hills |
|      12 | Kalaichar**   | West Garo Hills        |

* These sites also have Border Haat ** These sites have only Border Haat *******