New Delhi: Government has decided to have "floating" border outposts in Gujarat and Indo-Bangladesh border areas to check infiltration, illegal immigration and smuggling, Lok Sabha was told on February 18.

A decision has been taken to procure 14 floating border outposts for deployment in the creek areas of Gujarat and riverine areas of Indo-Bangladesh border, Minister of State for Home I D Swami said in a written answer.

The border outposts are being deployed to facilitate better domination of the riverine and creek areas, which are otherwise difficult to monitor, he said adding the first set of three such outposts has been commissioned.

Government has taken several steps, including augmentation of troops at border outposts, use of night vision devices and mobile patrolling to check infiltration, he said.

Government has approved Rs 1,334 crore for constructing additional roads and fencing along the remaining portion of India-Bangladesh border under phase-II involving fencing of 2,429.5 km and road network of 797 km, he said.

Government is aware and concerned about Pakistan and its intelligence agencies exploiting the open India-Nepal border for activities inimical to India's interest with the help of Indian extremist elements, Minister of State for Home Harin Pathak said.

There have been reports of misuse of the border for circulation of fake currency, drug trafficking and smuggling of arms by these elements, he said, adding government has taken up issues relating to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) activities in Nepalese territory and misuse of the open India-Nepal border with Nepal government.

The issue of finance to terrorists operating in India by ISI chief Ayub Thokar through European countries has been taken up at various political and official levels with the British government, Pathak said. Pakistan's ISI is, by all accounts, the main source of clandestine funding, inter-alia, through hawala channels of subversive and terrorist organisation operating in India, he said.

Government is considering certain changes in the law governing the receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution by voluntary organisations to remove shortcomings noticed in the present law, he said.

Adequate safeguards have been built in the agreement signed between the Centre, Assam government and Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) to ensure that non-tribals in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) are not disadvantaged in relation to any rights and privileges including land rights presently enjoyed by them, Swami said.

There is no proposal to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002 at present, but state governments and Union Territory administrations have been advised to ensure proper and transparent implementation of the Act, Pathak said.

Centre has received a large number of representations from Tamil Nadu and one representation each from Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand against its alleged misuse, he said.

Commerce and Industry Ministry has initiated steps to phase out production of nitro- glycerine based explosives, as gelatine is used by naxalites in landmines and slaymore mines to attack patrols, Pathak said.

PTI