SRINAGAR : Goods worth Rs 2,679.89 crore have been exported and Rs 2512.33 crore imported through Cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade at Salamabad Uri and Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir till May 31,2016.
Meanwhile, the government plans to install CCTV cameras on trade route besides Full Body Truck Scanner (FBTS) at both the trade centres. This was stated by Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash in the Legislative Assembly today.
He said the LoC trade through Salamabad Uri and Chakan-da-Bagh, Poonch in Jammu region was started on October 21,2016.
The reply said 33,586 trucks loaded with 15,3561.55 Metric Tons (MTs) of goods, worth Rs 2052.2797 crore crossed over to other side of the LoC from Salamabad Uri during the period. From Chakan-da-Bagh 50,330 trucks carrying 69,015.07 MTs of goods valuing Rs 62,7.6152 crore crossed to other side of the LoC.
He said 90777.48 MTs of goods worth Rs 1832.2071 crore arrived at Salamabad in 21282 trucks while at Chakan-da-Bagh 9112 trucks carrying 59664 .15 MTs worth Rs 680.1323 crore arrived there from across the LoC.
The minister said that the Cross-LoC trade was started to be carried out on barter system. The trade has been carried out as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which contains details of tradable items prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (GoI) for 21 items as per the Agreed List of Tradable (ALT) items.
However, as per SOP no third country origin, produce, prdocuts and goods are allowed to be traded between two sides of the LoC, the reply said.
He said the main products bartered during these years are fresh fruits, vegetables, embroidered items, including crewel, dry fruit including walnuts, kashmiri spices, rajmah, honey, herbal items and knows.
No fresh trader was registered during the year 2014-15 from Salamabad Uri where there are 367 traders registered at present.
However, at Chakan-da-Bagh, 144 new traders were registered and with this the total number of traders registered there is 670.
There was no information that the relatives of certain politicians and some high ranking officers have been directly and indirectly associated with this trade as a result of which the genuine traders have been severely affected.
The reply said that for strengthening of trade, Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh are being upgraded, a revised agreed lit of items has been sent to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) centre, the banking plan received from MHA regarding establishment of banking facilities at TFC has been approved by the state government and conveyed to GoI.
He said six ISD lines and revisions of SOP have been requested to home department. Plan for installation of Full Body Truck Scanner (FBTS) at both TFCs and plan to for installation of CCTV cameras along trade routes have also been requested. (agencies)
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