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SRINAGAR

A file photo of 'Kaman-Aman' Setu bridge.
A file photo of ‘Kaman-Aman’ Setu bridge.

To review measures and to boost cross-LoC trade facilities, top officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held discussions with Jammu and Kashmir top officers of Industries, Home and other concerned departments.

A top official of the state government, who was part of the meeting, told KNS that the meeting was held in New Delhi on Thursday. “The meeting was attended by the state Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Shalinder Kumar, officials of the home and other concerned departments.”

He said that the meeting was called by the Secretary (Internal Security) of Ministry of Home Affairs, who is also the Chairman of the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Committee.

The official said that 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.

We put forth the demands of trade federations of the State including the increasing number of trading items. “The response from the MHA team was very positive,” the official said.

On the issue of setting up of the banking facility on either side of the LoC, the official said that the MHA officials informed that the New Delhi has already taken up the matter with Islamabad and the MHA would pursue the matter “vigorously.”

In absence of banking facility, the trade is presently a barter system wherein the traders, against the good imported or exported, receive the goods of the same value instead of dealing the business in cash.

The official said that, issuance of Visa permits and maintenance of balance sheet for goods traded across LoC from both sides were also discussed in the meeting.

Commissioner Secretary I&C, Shalinder Kumar confirmed that he attended the meeting. “Yes I have attended this meeting and during the meeting several issues were discussed regarding the LOC trade.”

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