Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 28: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today told Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JKJCCI) deputation who called on him to discuss cross LoC related trade issues, that he will take up these with the new Prime Minister of the country so that this important Confidence Building Measure (CBM) is further strengthened.
The Chief Minister said that the points identified in the memorandum by JKJCCI relating to the Jammu and Kashmir State Government would be addressed on fast track and those pertaining to Government of India taken up at the appropriate concerned levels. He said the State Government has already made the Government of India aware of the difficulties of traders engaged in cross LoC trade for want of communication and banking facilities. “I would once again take up this and other issues of cross LoC trade with the Union Government”, he told the JKJCCI deputation led by its President Y. V. Sharma.
In the memorandum, the JKJCCI delegation highlighted the demand of revision of list of tradable items. It also requested for constitution of Committee of Economists to study the potential and make recommendation for the promotion of cross LoC trade. It also urged for improving infrastructural facilities at trading points by expanding warehousing and cold storage facilities besides making full body truck scanners available for quick clearance of consignments. The Chief Minister said that the issue of providing two full body truck scanners has already been taken up with the Centre Government and the matter will be further pursued there.
The deputation among other issues also stressed on the need of creating a mechanism for regular monthly meetings at the Zero Line along Trade Facilitation Centres by the cross LoC traders for disposal of disputes. It also reiterated its demand for banking and telecommunication facility and the need for hassle-free permission to the registered traders of the State to visit across the Line of Control for discussion and settlement of issues with their counterparts.
The meeting among others was also attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas.
Later, in the afternoon the Chief Minister received various deputations from across the Valley besides scores of individuals who presented him their grievances and development demands.
The Chief Minister gave them patient hearing and assured that their genuine demands would be given due consideration.
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