Srinagar, August 18
The working group on strengthening relations across Line of Control (LoC) will suggest and work out measures to ease procedural complexity being felt by travellers visiting across LoC.
This was disclosed by Chairman, Working Group-II, on strengthening relation across the LoC, M. K. Rasgotra here today, adding that possibilities for general public to visit across LoC would also be explored to strengthen relations and provide for additional avenues of interactions.
Mr Rasgotra told reporters on the sidelines of the working group meeting, which took place at SKICC the decks were being cleared to initiate trade across LoC. He said the Government of India and the state government had already cleared a list of 70 businessmen and referred it to Pakistan for approval six months back so that interaction between traders of two areas could take place and trade activities get green light.
He pointed out whatever the delay it had been on the part of Pakistan and not from this side saying that, however, Pakistan had now sent a list of 40 businessmen for approval. He hoped that trade would take place soon. He said the working group on strengthening of relations across LoC would also deliberate to identify more points and routes to be opened on LoC to provide for additional meeting points and travelling routes. He said opening up of more bus services across LoC was also on the agenda of the working group.
He said: “We are meeting to work out more and more avenues of strengthening relations across LoC and come up with recommendations and suggestions to this effect.”
Replying to questions, Mr Rasgotra said the recommendations of the group would be submitted before the third roundtable conference. Mr Rasgotra said the group would suggest measures for easing trade procedures so that trade across LoC took place smoothly.
The working group on strengthening of relations across the LoC headed by Mr M.K. Rasgotra is one of the groups of the five working groups announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon after the conclusion of the second roundtable conference here in May last. The members of the group are Mr Tariq Hamid Karra, Minister for Housing, Haji Nisar Ali, Minister for Social Welfare, Prof Bhim Singh, MLC, Mian Altaf Ahmad, MLA, Mr Abdul Gani Vakil, MLC, Qazi Mehboob Illahi Advocate, Prof Ashok Aima, Mr Ghulam Nabi Malik CPM and Mr Mohammad Yousuf Bhat (CPI). Besides the members, Financial Commissioner Coordination Ajit Kumar, Commissioner Secretary-General, Administration Department, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Maj-General Afsar Karim (Expert) participated in today’s meeting of the working group.
