Poonch, May 17
Union Home Secretary RK Singh today assured the cross-LoC traders of Jammu region that 21 items would be restored to the export list. Besides, Chakan-da-Bagh trade route is being brought on par with Salamabad, increasing the number of trucks to 50 per day on trading days.

The trade takes place four days a week from Tuesday to Friday. Singh said henceforth, there will be no restriction on the export of 21 items to PoK and at the same time, the number of trucks from Chakan-da-Bagh will be increased to 50 per day.

“Chakan-da-Bagh and Salamabad traders will be treated at par,” he said.

Singh met the traders at Immigration Centre here and discussed various problems being faced by them.

“The government had already given its consent to Indian traders to export 21 different items to PoK. As far as restrictions imposed by officials on some items in the list are concerned, we have directed the authorities to allow export of the listed items,” he said.

“We are also ready to increase the number of items and in the ensuing talks, we will suggest to Pakistan to open banking channels for further strengthening the trade,” he added. During a meeting, the cross-LoC traders informed Singh that the officials at the helm of affairs at Chakan da-Bagh had banned items like banana and coconut. These items were in high demand in PoK.

They also raised the issue of step-motherly treatment by the authorities, which allow only 25 trucks per day from Chakan-da-Bagh to Tetrinote in PoK on trading days. This is in sharp contrast to 50 trucks per day from Salamabad to Chakoti.

They also demanded permits for the traders to visit PoK markets to assess quality and rates of products there before placing orders with their counterparts.

The Tribune, in its May 11 edition, under the heading “Cross-LoC Trade: Two sets of norms for Kashmir, Jammu regions”, had highlighted the plight of Jammu traders.