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The Parliament approved a Bill providing for the establishment of the Land Ports Authority of India with the Rajya Sabha passing the Bill even as the Government assured the House that it would accord top priority for the national security concerns in the 13 identified LPAIs proposed to be started involving a cost of Rs 635 crore in the border areas.
Replying to the discussions on the Land Ports Authority Bill 2010, Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said the LPAI itself was proposed by the National Security Council in 2003 and there would be no compromise whatsoever in these highly sanitised LPAIs.
The Centre was in touch with the State Governments and even with the District authorities for acquisition of land for these LPAIs and the security concerns were reviewed in detail by the Standing Committees. Though there is scope for allowing private companies in the LPAIs under the PPP mode, the private entities would not be allowed any sovereign functions.
Mr Maken said the infrastructure for various functions along the borders, including customs, was inadequate. The Bill would ensure that adequate facilities are provided.
He said the number of LPAIs proposed was only a beginning and more could be allowed depending on the volume of trade and the need.
On the issue of border management especially near the Indo-Bangladesh borders, the minister said the BSF was raising 16 new battalions to man the porous borders. Two of them were being raised and 14 more will be deployed, he said. Floodlights were being erected along the 284 km border and would be completed by the end of 2012.
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