SRINAGAR:– Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. Chander Parkash today informed the House that Government would ensure proper auditing, scanning and screening of the LoC trade.
Replying to supplementaries of the members, the Minister informed the House that Full Body Scanners (FBS) would be installed at LoC trade points including Chakan-da Bagh, Poonch, Salamabad Uri, adding that in this regard the Department has floated tenders for the procurement of the scanners.
Replying to the main question by Mr Rajesh Gupta, the Minister informed that the LoC trade through Salamabad, Uri and Chakan-da-Bagh Poonch trade routes was started on October 21, 2008. He informed that 222576.62 metric tons of goods worth Rs 2679.89 crore were exported though Salamabad, Uri and Chakan-da-Bagh Poonch trade points from the start of these points till ending May, 2016. He said that 150441.63 metric tons of goods worth Rs 2512.33 crore were imported thorough these trade points during the period.
The Minister said that the cross LoC trade was started to be carried out on Barter system. He said that the trade has been carried out as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which contains details of tradable items (21 items) prescribed by Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He said however as per the SOP no third country origin produce/products/goods are allowed to be traded between two sides of LoC.
The Minster said that the main products bartered during these years are fresh fruits, vegetables, embroidery items, including crewel, dry fruits, walnut, Kashmiri spices, honey, Rajmash, herbal items, kenos. He said that 670 traders were registered already for this trade and out of which 144 traders registered during 2014-15.
He said that steps are being taken to strengthen the Cross LoC trade including upgradation of TFCs at Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh Poonch. He said that revisited Agreed List has been sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He said that the banking plan received from the MHA regarding establishment of banking facility at TFCs at Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh Poonch has been approved by the State Government and the same has been conveyed to the Centre. He said 6 ISD lines have been restored by the Department of Telecommunication. He said that the revision of SOP has been requested to the MHA and plan for the installation of Full Body Truck Scanners and CCT Vs at both the TFCs have also been initiated.
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