JKJCCI delegation raises LoC Trade issues with Governor

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 5: A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JKJCCI), led by its Joint President Sh Rakesh Gupta, called on Governor N.N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.

The delegation appealed for Governor’s urgent intervention in restoring trade on the Poonch- Rawalakot route which has remained suspended for the past over 8 weeks, leading to large losses to the traders. For making this trade more transparent and accountable the delegation suggested steps being taken for the vacation of stay on Government’s order of 31-05-2017  which prescribed measures to streamline the trade; revisiting the application of GST on LoC trade so that LoC trade is taxed at a minimal percentage  which too can be reimbursed on the same pattern as applies to the incentives being given for the promotion of industry in J&K; in the light of the recent NIA raids, corrective measures need to be taken to ensure that there is no nexus between the various agencies and the unethical traders at the LoC points; to ensure against emergence of vested interests no officer of any agency posted at the LoC  Trade Facilitation Centre should continue for more than 6 months at a stretch; a dedicated authority for management of LoC trade should be established to streamline and enhance the trade; setting up a hassle free single window system for the trade; e-commerce and digitization of LoC trade so that real time monitoring and evaluation of this barter trade can be done; enhancement of security infrastructure including installation of CCTV cameras, full body truck scanners, X-ray machines etc and banking facility be put in place instead of the present barter system with the currency medium to be decided  mutually by both countries.

Governor observed that he would take up their demands with the Union Government and the Chief Minister.