Omar Abdullah to take up cross-LoC trade issues with Narendra Modi

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he will take up the issues related to cross-LoC trade with Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that this important Confidence Building Measure (CBM) is further strengthened.

"I would once again take up this and other issues of Cross LOC trade with the Union Government," Omar told a deputation of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JKJCCI) which had called on him.

The Chief Minister said the points identified in the memorandum by JKJCCI relating to the Jammu and Kashmir State Government would be addressed on fast track and those pertaining to Government of India taken up at the appropriate concerned levels.

He said the state government has already made the Government of India aware of the difficulties of traders engaged in Cross LOC trade for want of communication and banking facilities.

The JKJCCI delegation highlighted the demand of revision of list of tradable items to expand it to make it demand supply oriented. It also requested for constitution of committee of economists to study the potential and make recommendation for the promotion of Cross LOC trade.

The delegation also urged for improving infrastructural facilities at trading points by expanding warehousing and cold storage facilities besides making full body truck scanners available for quick clearance of consignments.

The Chief Minister said that the issue of providing two full body truck scanners has already been taken up with the Central Government and the matter will be further pursued there.