Context: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said that the Government will make all out efforts to boost land border trade with neighbouring countries. Addressing the 4th Foundation Day of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) here today, he said geographically land border trade is vital to India’s development.
About LPAI
- It is a statutory body established under the Land Ports Authority of India Act,2010.
- It functions under the administrative control of the Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It was established to provide safe, secure and systematic facilities for movement of cargo as well passengers at its Integrated Check posts(ICPs) along the international borders of India.
- It is mandated inter alia to plan, develop, construct, manage and maintain Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), regulate functions of various agencies working at such Check Posts, coordinate with various concerned Ministries, Departments of the Government of India or other agencies for regulating the entry and exit of passengers and goods and establish necessary service facilities.
- It brings together various agencies responsible for coordination of various Government functions including those of Security, Immigration, Customs, Plant & Animal Quarantine etc., as also for the provision of support facilities such as warehousing, parking, banking, foreign exchange bureau among others at ICPs along India’s vast land borders.
About Integrated Check Post(ICP):
- Integrated Check Post (ICP) is a trade centre for facilitation of bilateral trade between countries as well as for movement of passengers across the border.
- It also aims to generate employment opportunities and provide a boost to the economy of the State and the region.