Ahead of the re-opening of a historic border 'haat' (market) in the state, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, today underscored the need to strengthen ties with Bangladesh in terms of trade and commerce in the best interest of both the neighbouring countries.
"Relationship with Bangladesh is one of the issues and building up sustainable relationship is very important for both countries," Sangma said, a day before Commerce ministers of India and Bangladesh formally re-open the traditional border 'haat' at Kalaichar in West Garo Hills.
The traditional 'haats' were thriving centres of trade and commerce till the creation of Bangladesh following which these were abruptly shut down leading to economic downslide of the local populace.
However, both the countries have now decided to revive these age-old markets in the interest of people living on either side of the dividing line.
"There is a need for increasing inter-dependence between the two countries. This would go a long way in forging friendship and maintaining better conducive atmosphere on both sides of the international border," Sangma said.
He said the state government was prevailing upon the Centre to pursue with Dhaka to "go after" militants of the North East holed up in Bangladesh.
The Chief Minister said another border haat would be set up at Balat in East Khasi Hills district, indicating that more such traditional markets would be revived in other areas gradually.
He said that work for building infrastructure at Land Customs Stations (LCS) at Ghasuapara and Dalu in Garo hills was already underway and that he had taken up with the Centre the need to connect all LCSs with railway network.
Friday, 22 July 2011
Border Haat at Kalaichar to be opened tomorrow
NEW DELHI, July 22 – Commerce Ministers of India and Bangladesh would jointly inaugurate Border Haat at Kalaichar, West Garo Hill District in Meghalaya on Saturday.
Union Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister, Anand Sharma and Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, Muhammad Faruk Khan would join Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma in the ceremony that is likely to be first in a series of joint projects between the two countries.
“The opening of Border Haats shall herald a new chapter of cooperation in India-Bangladesh trade. I am confident that the opening of Border Haats will make the border villages on both sides more prosperous through improved market accessibility for their locally-produced goods,” Sharma said today.
It is estimated that bilateral trade worth US$ 20 million would take place annually from the Border Haats once they are opened.
The event is being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Shellac and Forest Product Promotion Council (Shefexil).
Official sources said that in addition to the Border Haats, both sides were working on several projects to improve trade infrastructure and connectivity. Initially, the Border Haats as pilot projects, are to be opened at Baliamari (Kurigram District, Bangladesh) – Kalaichar (West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India and at Lauwaghar (Dalora) (Sunamganj District, Bangladesh) – Balat (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India).
The Border Management Department of Ministry of Home Affairs in India is developing seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on India – Bangladesh Border at Petrapole, Agartala, Dawki, Hili, Chandrabangha, Sutarkhandi and Kawarpuchiah.
Further, India is also developing infrastructure at eight Land Custom Stations along the Indo – Bangladesh border at a cost of Rs 108.19 crore. The LCSs are Borosora, Dalu, Ghasupara, Mahadipur, Hilli, Phullbari, Srimantpur and Gojadanga. The total projected cost of all the ICPs and Land Custom Stations being developed is US$ 125 million.
Union Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister, Anand Sharma and Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, Muhammad Faruk Khan would join Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma in the ceremony that is likely to be first in a series of joint projects between the two countries.
“The opening of Border Haats shall herald a new chapter of cooperation in India-Bangladesh trade. I am confident that the opening of Border Haats will make the border villages on both sides more prosperous through improved market accessibility for their locally-produced goods,” Sharma said today.
It is estimated that bilateral trade worth US$ 20 million would take place annually from the Border Haats once they are opened.
The event is being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Shellac and Forest Product Promotion Council (Shefexil).
Official sources said that in addition to the Border Haats, both sides were working on several projects to improve trade infrastructure and connectivity. Initially, the Border Haats as pilot projects, are to be opened at Baliamari (Kurigram District, Bangladesh) – Kalaichar (West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India and at Lauwaghar (Dalora) (Sunamganj District, Bangladesh) – Balat (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India).
The Border Management Department of Ministry of Home Affairs in India is developing seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on India – Bangladesh Border at Petrapole, Agartala, Dawki, Hili, Chandrabangha, Sutarkhandi and Kawarpuchiah.
Further, India is also developing infrastructure at eight Land Custom Stations along the Indo – Bangladesh border at a cost of Rs 108.19 crore. The LCSs are Borosora, Dalu, Ghasupara, Mahadipur, Hilli, Phullbari, Srimantpur and Gojadanga. The total projected cost of all the ICPs and Land Custom Stations being developed is US$ 125 million.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Ban on GNLA to be examined: Sangma
Shillong, Jul 21 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said that his government is examining the issue of declaring Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant outfit as banned organisation.
''All these things are being examined, and under the scanner, the government will take a decision on it,'' Dr Sangma told reporters.
The Chief Minister was reacting to a query if the government proposed to impose on the GNLA, which has unleashed a reign of terror in the three districts of Garo Hills.
Asked if the GNLA was receiving any political patronage, Dr Sangma said, ''It will be disastrous for those who are sympathizers and are hand-in-glove. I want to send a clear message to the patronisers that the government has the capacity to find out all information.'' The Chief Minister, however, appealed to citizens of the state to support the government in its fight against such forces, which were against the spirit of civilized democracy. ''They (militants) are criminals indulging extortion and killings,'' he said.
On the emergence of smaller outfits, Dr Sangma said the government was trying to understand as to why there was emergence of militant outfits one after another in different names.
He said the GNLA was an offshoot of the A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), which was now under a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the State and the Centre and deserters of the Meghalaya Police.
''Apparently the Garo Hills is being used as corridor by many militant outfits, and these Small outfits are coming up again and again with the support from various organizations, including the NDFB and ULFA,'' he said.
Nonetheless, he said the government has taken all steps to neutralise these groups and the state police have been asked to maintain better co-ordination with people in militancy-affected areas in order to gather information on militant activities.
''All these things are being examined, and under the scanner, the government will take a decision on it,'' Dr Sangma told reporters.
The Chief Minister was reacting to a query if the government proposed to impose on the GNLA, which has unleashed a reign of terror in the three districts of Garo Hills.
Asked if the GNLA was receiving any political patronage, Dr Sangma said, ''It will be disastrous for those who are sympathizers and are hand-in-glove. I want to send a clear message to the patronisers that the government has the capacity to find out all information.'' The Chief Minister, however, appealed to citizens of the state to support the government in its fight against such forces, which were against the spirit of civilized democracy. ''They (militants) are criminals indulging extortion and killings,'' he said.
On the emergence of smaller outfits, Dr Sangma said the government was trying to understand as to why there was emergence of militant outfits one after another in different names.
He said the GNLA was an offshoot of the A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), which was now under a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the State and the Centre and deserters of the Meghalaya Police.
''Apparently the Garo Hills is being used as corridor by many militant outfits, and these Small outfits are coming up again and again with the support from various organizations, including the NDFB and ULFA,'' he said.
Nonetheless, he said the government has taken all steps to neutralise these groups and the state police have been asked to maintain better co-ordination with people in militancy-affected areas in order to gather information on militant activities.
Probe on nexus with Garo outfit
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma addresses reporters in Shillong on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos
Shillong, July 20: A probe by the Meghalaya government is on to ascertain whether politicians are “patronising” the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) while the government is also examining the possibility of asking the Centre to declare the outfit as a proscribed group.
Close on the heels of the GNLA threat to detonate explosives if combing operations against the outfit were not withdrawn, chief minister Mukul Sangma said, “It would be disastrous if any sympathiser is found hand-in-glove with the group.”
He said the outfit’s warning to carry out serial blasts in Shillong, Tura, Williamnagar and Baghmara was an offshoot of the “heat” the militants are feeling from the ongoing counter-insurgency operations carried out by security forces.
The state government had sought the help of commandos of the elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action commandos and BSF personnel to flush out militants from the Garo hills.
The self-styled “commander-in-chief” of the GNLA, Sohan D. Shira, had on Sunday threatened to detonate explosives in Khyndailad (Police Bazaar) and Iewduh (Burra Bazaar) in Shillong, Tura market in West Garo Hills, Williamnagar market in East Garo Hills and Baghmara market in South Garo Hills if the ongoing combing operations were not called off immediately.
To a question on whether the government was contemplating to ask the Centre to ban the GNLA, Sangma said the issue was being examined.
“We are still examining the activities and the threat from the GNLA before recommending to the Centre to ban the outfit,” Sangma said.
Questioning the credentials of those who are in the GNLA, the chief minister said, “We cannot eulogise them. Most of those who had joined the outfit are deserters from the erstwhile Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and the police.”
On the outfit’s self-styled chairman, Champion R. Sangma, a former deputy superintendent of police, Sangma said, “His (Champion’s) track record while he was still serving in the police department was bad.”
“They indulge in activities like killing, kidnapping and extortion which make them criminals,” he said.
The chief minister said, “What issues do they (GNLA) want to discuss? They are justifying their demand (statehood) in order to spread their illegal activities.”
He said the statehood issue couldn’t be taken up through the barrel of the gun. “The most powerful weapon today to take up issues is non-violence,” Sangma said.
On the ANVC’s demand for an autonomous body on the lines of the Bodo Territorial Autonomous Council, Sangma said the government was examining the matter.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Shillong: 7 Injured in Twin Cylinder Blasts at Eateries
Seven people were injured, two of them seriously, when LPG cylinders exploded in two restaurants of the same owner in separate market areas of Meghalaya capital this afternoon.
Ruling out the hand of militants or any other group, Superintendent of Police A R Mawthoh said while four employees were injured at the Banana Leaf restaurant at Laitumkhrah, three others got hurt at another eatery of the same owner in Jail Road locality as the cylinders went off.
The twin cylinder blasts took place in a span of one hour between 2 PM to 3 PM.
Of the seven injured, two were in serious condition and rushed to a private hospital, the official said.None of the customers suffered any serious wound in the blasts.
Another senior police official said forensic experts already collected samples from the sites.The official said "all possibilities remained open subject to forensic findings. But internal sabotage appears to be a possibility."
Ruling out the hand of militants or any other group, Superintendent of Police A R Mawthoh said while four employees were injured at the Banana Leaf restaurant at Laitumkhrah, three others got hurt at another eatery of the same owner in Jail Road locality as the cylinders went off.
The twin cylinder blasts took place in a span of one hour between 2 PM to 3 PM.
Of the seven injured, two were in serious condition and rushed to a private hospital, the official said.None of the customers suffered any serious wound in the blasts.
Another senior police official said forensic experts already collected samples from the sites.The official said "all possibilities remained open subject to forensic findings. But internal sabotage appears to be a possibility."
Lafarge wins go-ahead for cross-border project
By Syed Tashfin Chowdhury
DHAKA - A ground-breaking cross-border project involving India and Bangladesh, agreed to more than a decade ago, appears finally ready to go into operation following a Supreme Court judgement in India that rejected protests by local tribal groups.
The judgement on July 7 allows limestone mining in the East Khasi Hills area of the Indian state of Meghalaya, bordering Bangladesh's northern border, by Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Ltd (LUMPL), a unit of France-based Lafarge, the world's biggest cement company. The limestone will be transported from Meghalaya to the Chhatak plant in Bangladesh via a 17-kilometer conveyor belt.
The project will boost cement production in Bangladesh, but prevailing prices are unlikely to be affected due to high demand, which has surged 50% in the past two years amid a fast-expanding economy, cement dealers told Asia Times Online.
The project had been stalled since early in 2010, when 21 tribal groups and the Shella Action Committee, a non-governmental organization in the Meghalaya area, petitioned against the mining, fearing "ecological degradation".
The verdict was the only obstacle to Lafarge's efforts to supply raw material to its US$255 million Bangladesh venture, Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd (LSCL). The Bangladesh unit has lost around $1 million every month since April 2010 due to the court ban, Business Standard estimated. The company imported clinkers from abroad "to maintain limited production of its cement until the verdict came", Daily Star reported, citing Shuvashish Priya Barua, LSCL director of corporate affairs.
The governments of both countries, which have been seeking to improve ties over the past two years, were keen to see a court ruling that allowed mining to go ahead. The Indian government sought permission from the court to start mining after Lafarge agreed to pay part of its sale proceeds to the Meghalaya government for development in the region, Bloomberg reported.
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement in November 2000 supporting the LSCL-led cement manufacturing project, the only cross-border industrial project between the two countries. It has been financed by Lafarge, Cementos Molins of Spain, leading Bangladeshi business houses, the World Bank's International Finance Corp, the Asian Development Bank, German Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Netherlands Development Co, according to LUMPL's website.
A senior LSCL official told Business Standard after the Supreme Court approval, "All the petitions filed by the Shella Action Committee have been dismissed by the court. We are grateful to the government of India, the government of Bangladesh, the state government of Meghalaya and the local people in Meghalaya, who have fully supported us in the Supreme Court," before adding that the operations at LUMPL would begin "as soon as possible".
The project's prospects will be further improved if LSCL succeeds in taking a majority stake in Meghalaya-based Star Cement, a unit of India's Cement Manufacturing Co Ltd (CMCL), which claims to be the "largest cement player in the northeast".
Talks between Lafarge India and Star Cement have progressed to a "due diligence stage", Business Standard reported on July 12. The final deal could be worth up to 12 billion rupees (US$269 million). YES Bank is believed to be advising Lafarge, while Morgan Stanley is helping the promoters of Star Cement.
Star Cement is poised to increase its grinding capacity to 3.2 million tonnes in Assam and Bihar along with 1.2 million tonnes in Meghalaya by 2012, which could increase to 1.75 million tonnes, according to Business Standard.
"We are expanding our grinding capacity in the east, and so we would need funds and are open to partnerships," CMCL chairman Sajjan Bhajanka said, according to Business Standard. "We may divest up to a 15-20% stake to strategic partners, but we are unlikely to sell out entirely."
Lafarge did not comment on the deal status. Other companies including Aditya Birla Group, Holcim and Dalmia Cements have also been approached, Business Standard reported.
Lafarge is one of the cement market leaders in Bangladesh alongside Shah Cement, Crown, Holcim, Heidelberg, Seven Circles, Fresh and Cemex, with more than a score of smaller players. Demand last year topped 15 million tonnes, up from 13 million tonnes a year earlier and 50% more than demand in 2008, according to the Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association.
Syed Tashfin Chowdhury is a senior staff writer at New Age in Dhaka.
DHAKA - A ground-breaking cross-border project involving India and Bangladesh, agreed to more than a decade ago, appears finally ready to go into operation following a Supreme Court judgement in India that rejected protests by local tribal groups.
The judgement on July 7 allows limestone mining in the East Khasi Hills area of the Indian state of Meghalaya, bordering Bangladesh's northern border, by Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Ltd (LUMPL), a unit of France-based Lafarge, the world's biggest cement company. The limestone will be transported from Meghalaya to the Chhatak plant in Bangladesh via a 17-kilometer conveyor belt.
The project will boost cement production in Bangladesh, but prevailing prices are unlikely to be affected due to high demand, which has surged 50% in the past two years amid a fast-expanding economy, cement dealers told Asia Times Online.
The project had been stalled since early in 2010, when 21 tribal groups and the Shella Action Committee, a non-governmental organization in the Meghalaya area, petitioned against the mining, fearing "ecological degradation".
The verdict was the only obstacle to Lafarge's efforts to supply raw material to its US$255 million Bangladesh venture, Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd (LSCL). The Bangladesh unit has lost around $1 million every month since April 2010 due to the court ban, Business Standard estimated. The company imported clinkers from abroad "to maintain limited production of its cement until the verdict came", Daily Star reported, citing Shuvashish Priya Barua, LSCL director of corporate affairs.
The governments of both countries, which have been seeking to improve ties over the past two years, were keen to see a court ruling that allowed mining to go ahead. The Indian government sought permission from the court to start mining after Lafarge agreed to pay part of its sale proceeds to the Meghalaya government for development in the region, Bloomberg reported.
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement in November 2000 supporting the LSCL-led cement manufacturing project, the only cross-border industrial project between the two countries. It has been financed by Lafarge, Cementos Molins of Spain, leading Bangladeshi business houses, the World Bank's International Finance Corp, the Asian Development Bank, German Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Netherlands Development Co, according to LUMPL's website.
A senior LSCL official told Business Standard after the Supreme Court approval, "All the petitions filed by the Shella Action Committee have been dismissed by the court. We are grateful to the government of India, the government of Bangladesh, the state government of Meghalaya and the local people in Meghalaya, who have fully supported us in the Supreme Court," before adding that the operations at LUMPL would begin "as soon as possible".
The project's prospects will be further improved if LSCL succeeds in taking a majority stake in Meghalaya-based Star Cement, a unit of India's Cement Manufacturing Co Ltd (CMCL), which claims to be the "largest cement player in the northeast".
Talks between Lafarge India and Star Cement have progressed to a "due diligence stage", Business Standard reported on July 12. The final deal could be worth up to 12 billion rupees (US$269 million). YES Bank is believed to be advising Lafarge, while Morgan Stanley is helping the promoters of Star Cement.
Star Cement is poised to increase its grinding capacity to 3.2 million tonnes in Assam and Bihar along with 1.2 million tonnes in Meghalaya by 2012, which could increase to 1.75 million tonnes, according to Business Standard.
"We are expanding our grinding capacity in the east, and so we would need funds and are open to partnerships," CMCL chairman Sajjan Bhajanka said, according to Business Standard. "We may divest up to a 15-20% stake to strategic partners, but we are unlikely to sell out entirely."
Lafarge did not comment on the deal status. Other companies including Aditya Birla Group, Holcim and Dalmia Cements have also been approached, Business Standard reported.
Lafarge is one of the cement market leaders in Bangladesh alongside Shah Cement, Crown, Holcim, Heidelberg, Seven Circles, Fresh and Cemex, with more than a score of smaller players. Demand last year topped 15 million tonnes, up from 13 million tonnes a year earlier and 50% more than demand in 2008, according to the Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association.
Syed Tashfin Chowdhury is a senior staff writer at New Age in Dhaka.
BCPs, Livestock Keepers and Animal Genetic Resources
On 20 July, at the 13th Session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA13), the LIFE Network and the League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development co-hosted a side event on biocultural community protocols, traditional livestock keepers, and animal genetic resources.Paul Boettcher (FAO) introduced the linkages between the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, the Nagoya Protocol, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, noting that a common element is recognition of the traditional knowledge and cultural expressions of livestock keepers. He also acknowledged that animal genetic resources are the direct result of generations of livestock keepers' livelihoods and that biocultural community protocols provide an opportunity to raise the profile and awareness of livestock keepers at all levels.
Abdul Raziq Kakar (Society of Animal, Veterinary and Environmental Scientists) described the biocultural community protocol that the Pashtoon of Balochistan (Pakistan) have developed as "the mirror of the community"; it includes information about their history and culture, genetic assets, customary law and management systems, habitat, and future and hopes. The process of developing the protocol included community consultations, door-to-door visits, meetings with elders, soliciting of experts' views and inputs, and further community meetings. He noted that the protocol has helped identify two indigenous breeds that had never been recognized by the government and helped unify the community under "one voice" to advocate the government for change.
Jacob Wanyama (Africa LIFE Network) noted that despite growing international interest in the conservation of animal genetic resources, there is little recognition of the role of livestock keepers as custodians of indigenous livestock breeds at the national and local levels. He lamented the dilution and potential extinction of indigenous breeds in Kenya, particularly the Red Maasai sheep, due to environmental and socio-economic factors such as increasingly irregular droughts and the introduction of exotic breeds. The biocultural community protocol that the Samburu of northern Kenya developed has contributed to increased local awareness of issues affecting livestock keepers and their breeds; consideration of plans for continuing their role as custodians; and clarifying terms and conditions for engaging with outsiders such as policy-makers and researchers.
Hanwant Singh Rathore (Lokhit Pashu Palak Sansthan) provided an overview of the local context of the Raika in Rajasthan, India, including their dependence on access to common property resources for grazing and the as yet lack of implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 for livestock keepers. He aso illustrated the many opportunities for developing natural products of indigenous camel breeds in Rajasthan into marketable items such as dung paper, wool shawls, ice cream, and soap, highlighting the importance of such incentives for retaining interest amongst the community members in livestock keeping amidst pressures to migrate to urban areas.
Ilse Köhler-Rollefson (League for Pastoral Peoples) explained that biocultural community protocols can help establish community ownership over traditional breeds and associated grazing areas, as well as clarify to policy makers and researchers the direct linkages between animal genetic resources and local socio-cultural contexts. She noted that any access and benefit sharing agreements should focus on in situ conservation and sustainable use and contribute to communities' endogenous development. She emphasized that adapted livestock breeds are "ecological treasures" whose economic value will become more apparent in the future, and that communities who are actively conserving them should be supported to continue to do so in situ.
Questions from the audience stimulated discussion around issues such as culturally sensitive participation in the development of biocultural community protocols; opportunities for legal recognition of protocols; conditions within which local production systems can be sustained, including capacity building; and wider issues of land and access rights as the foundation for sustaining the breeds.
Daily summaries and online coverage of the CGRFA13 negotiations is provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development Reporting Services (IISD-RS).
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