Amritsar, April 27
Bilateral trade between India and Pakistan via Attari-Wagah land route today virtually came to a standstill after a strike by Indian traders protesting against “excessive handling charges” at the new Integrated Check Post.

The cargo area meant for exports wore a deserted look today. The only area which witnessed some activity was the cargo terminal for imports where gypsum and cement arrived from Pakistan. Though a large section of porters were sitting idle in the wake of the strike call, some of them were spotted unloading cement from Pakistan. However, the number of trucks arriving from Pakistan also dropped considerably as compared to previous days.

Some Indian trucks were seen in the import area where gypsum was unloaded, but no lifting took place.

The protesting traders also visited the ICP in the morning to ensure that the trade was stopped completely. “We have asked the exporters in Pakistan to stop sending gypsum and cement till further directions.

The traders have reportedly been invited to Delhi for talks, which may take place on Tuesday

Moreover, apart from stopping exports, we are also not lifting the goods that are now arriving from Pakistan,” they said. Talking to the mediapersons at the ICP, Amritsar Dry Fruit Association Chief Anil Mehra said: “We were hoping that the ICP would boost the Indo-Pak trade, but this checkpost is no good.”

“They are charging us 40 per cent extra as compared to the old checkpost. We were not taken into confidence when these rates were finalised,” said Mehra.

Leading traders Iqbal Singh Bedi and Manav Taneja said they had agreed to pay the rate, which they had negotiated with the labour, to the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). However, apart from it, they are being charged Rs 200 per truck as entry fee, storage charges and 12 per cent service tax, which had turned the trade unviable. “The ICP was meant to promote trade between India and Pakistan and not to derail it,” they said, adding that they will not resume the trade until the handling charges are brought down. On the other hand, CWC Manager at ICP Rameshwar claimed that the trade was on at the new checkpost. “The traders had come in the morning and tried to stop the trade. However, the trade is on, though the volume has reduced. We have received cement, gypsum, dry dates and soda ash from Pak today,” he claimed.

A spokesperson of Confederation of International Chamber of Commerce and Industry said they have received a call from CWC MD BB Pattnaik who has invited them for negotiations. They said they will be meeting him in New Delhi on Tuesday. 

ICP rates upset traders

• Indian traders are protesting “excessive handling charges” at the new Integrated Check Post
• Traders claim that they are being charged 40% extra at the ICP as compared to the older checkpost
• While the cargo area meant for exports at the ICP wore a deserted look on Friday, the Central Warehousing Corporation said the trade was on and only the volume had reduced