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| Cross LoC trade hits road blocks | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, April 15: Despite state Government's plea to the centre to initiate measures for developing the basic infrastructure required for enhancing trade across the LOC nothing much has been done. The result is that the import-export of number of items via Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakot routes continues to be in a state of uncertanity. Traders continue to bank on the barter system. These traders want better facilities which includes banking and tele-link development projects.
As a result of state Government's intervention the centre has agreed to set up five telephone links across the LOC.But the state authorities want major transformation in the trading activities so that the traders have adequate banking facilities. Though the trade across the LOC is more than four years old it continues to be out of its initial hiccups.
It is so because of absence of banking facilities, communication system and restrictions on the import export items. In addition to this there are restrictions on the quantum of export. Prior to the partition when the Jehlum valley road, linking Srinagar with Muzaffarabad, used to be open Kashmir valley would produce 16000 tonnes of fruit and at present it produces about 15 lakh tonnes of fruit. This means that fruit growers and dealers have a wide scope for exporting fresh fruit to Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries. This can be done if the restrictions are removed. This is what the fruit growers demand.
Similarly the production of handicr afts,including carpets and shawls in Kashmir has increased 20 times when compared to the production in 1947-48.Hence the scope for exporting handicrafts worth sever al hundred crores of rupees via the LOC is quite bright.But in the absence of banking and the communication facilities traders on both sides of the LOC are reluctant in t aking any risk by enlarging the size of their export and import.
Leaders of trade and commerce in Jammu claim that they could easily export bigger quantities of spices,dry fruit,medicines,motor t yres,tubes and spare parts,and other industrial products.They are upset because of the rest rictions on the export list.
Official sources said that the centre is yet to take any initiative for making the trade across the LOC smoother and simpler.The sources said that the Government of India continues to be choosy on the matter because of the security reasons.One cannot rule out the possibility of vested int erests across the LOC managing to send explosives and other contraband items in the boxes of items that were to be exported to Jammu and Kashmir.
The sources said that the main issue to be set tled is that of currency.Will it be going to be common currency.Those in Jammu and Kashmir accepting payment of goods,exported,in Pak currency and those axcross the LOC imprting goods from Jammu and Kashmir accepting payment in Indian currency.The PDP leadership has suggested an easier route when it said that let the transaction be made in US dollars.It seems easier said than done.
According to these sources,the trade across the LOC will improve once the relations between Delhi and Islamabad improved.So long the relations between the two sides remain tense both Islamabad and Delhi may not evince interest in making trade across the LOC simpler and smoother.
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