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| Working group duscusses strenghthening ties | | Next meet in Delhi after Nov 15 | |
Jammu, October 9 :-The Working Group meeting, constituted by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, for looking into ways and means for strengthening relations across the LOC, holds a meeting here today under the chairmanship of Mr M.K.Rasgotra, a former Secretary External Affairs Ministry.
During the meeting several proposals related to promotion of trade ties, improving people to people contact between the neighbouring countries were discussed besides estending tax holiday on items which were to be imported after these trade routes were opened.
State Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra had proposed that in order to improve trade ties and to promote more trade between the two sides no tax levy should be imposed on trade items agreed upon between the countries.
The suggestion was opposed by the BJP. The chairman of the committee intervened and suggested the matter could be decided by the Government and not by the committee.
When BJP member told Qarra “if you favour tax holiday on imported goods from POK why should not then the Government decide against imposing tax on all imported goods that reach the state via Lakhanpur toll post?” The two leaders exchanged hot words over the matter.
When the members of the Working Group expressed the need for improving relations with people in PoK, BJP members again intervened informing the committee that what was the purpose of taking in hand confidence building measures when Pakistan’s involvement in recent Mumbai serial blasts had been established and when Islamabad continued to abet and aid crossborder terrorism.
Tariq Hamid Qarra also suggested joint management for tackling natural calamities and environmental degradation he did not find many supporters to his idea. The Working Group members said that the Government of India and the state Government were capable enough to deal with natural disasterts and environmental degradation.
Panthers Party supremo, Bhim Singh, wanted the Working Group to suggest to the Government to legislate against those migrants from Jammu and Kashmir settled in POK for the last 59 years,who ,after crossing into Jammu and Kashmir,tried to resort to emotional blackmail while seeking permanent rehabilitation.He said that these old migrants wanted to spend their last days in Jammu and Kashmir with the sole purpose of grabbing the evacuee property. Mr Rasgotra said that the matter be deferred because it was sub judice.
Mian Altaf of the National Conference wanted easy travel facilities for people wishing to visit the shrine of his ancestors in POK.
Winding up the meeting Mr Rasgotra said that another meeting would be held in Delhi after November 15 when the report of the Working Group was to be finalized. The report would be submitted to the Prime Minister. |
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