Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 26: Top officers of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today held wide ranging discussions with Jammu and Kashmir officers of Industries, Home and CID Departments to review measures to boost cross-LoC trade and travel on two routes of the State including Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad.
The MHA delegation that reached Srinagar, the summer capital of the State, for talks with J&K officials comprised Joint Secretary MHA (J&K Affairs) RK Srivastava and Deputy Secretary (Kashmir) MHA Sulekha Kumari. The J&K delegation included Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home) and IG CID Dr B Srinivas.
While discussing various demands and problems being faced by the traders associated with cross LoC trade at Salamabad, Uri and Chakan-Da-Bagh, Poonch, both sides felt that there was urgent need for further augmentation and streamlining of the cross LoC trade. They decided that the additional items to be included for trade shall be forwarded by the Industries & Commerce Department to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its inclusion in the agreed list of items in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Regarding banking facilities, the Joint Secretary Home informed that the matter has already been taken up with the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry will pursue the matter with them vigorously. Provision of ISD facilities to the senior officers dealing with the cross-LoC trade and the designated heads of traders association was also agreed to.
The meeting noted that the tendering process for purchase of Full Body Truck Scanners has been completed and a team of experts will be sent soon to identify the location and advice on the preparatory work before installation.
During the meeting, enhancement of cash amount to be carried by the passengers travelling across to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) was also agreed to and a proposal to this effect will be submitted by the Home Department of the J&K Government to the MHA for approval. Opening of additional trade routes, issuance of Visa permits and maintenance of balance sheet for goods traded across LoC from both sides were also discussed in the meeting.
Sources said upgradation of infrastructure at TFC Salamabad, Uri and TFC Chakan-Da-Bagh was agreed upon between the two sides and the custodians of the respective TFCs were directed to submit the updated proposals to the State Government for further necessary action and release of funds by the MHA.
Upgradation of road and communication facilities from TFCs to zero line, visit of traders across LoC also came up for discussion during the high level meeting, which agreed that the Home Department will submit its recommendations to the MHA for obtaining necessary clearance from the Government of Pakistan.
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