Clarify stand about LoC trade: Traders to JK Govt

Srinagar: The traders associated with trade along Line of Control Monday asked government of Jammu and Kashmir to clarify its stand about the commerce while as they reiterated to suspend trade of next two weeks. “The trade is nearing three years completion and the state government continues to offer cold shoulder to the problems faced by us on the ground,” Hilal Ahmad Turki, general secretary Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Association told .“The government needs to clarify its stand whether it means business or merely wants to bill the cross LoC as a major Confidence Building Measure even as traders continue to be victimized,” Turki added. He said that the traders have been repeatedly demanding change in the list of approved items as part of the SOPs.“There are still indistinguishable items in the approved list of 21-items. We demand government to put those items in the list that bring about profit to us and let the trade blossom.”He said that traders want to export mineral water, bats and other items that will boast state industries. “As our industries get the boost, it will offer employment to a large group of our youth,” he added.     Turki also demanded revocation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade between two parts of the divided Kashmir. “It is barter a system and there no transaction of money involved. Six months ago, state government issued a circular implementing tax and VAT despite the fact that we have no sale point.” Turki said keeping in view the ground situation; VAT should not be imposed on the cross-LoC trade.He also reiterated two-week suspension of trade through the Salamabad-Chakoti crossing point.   The trade was started with fanfare after 60 years on October 21, 2008 last through the Poonch-Rawalakot and Srinagar-Muzaffarabad routes. It takes place on every Tuesday and Wednesday from both these routes.