Cross-LoC trade at Rs 2,800 crore in last three years

SRINAGAR: Goods worth over Rs 2,800 crore were traded through Line of Control ( LoC) during the last three years as part of the cross-LoC trade, Jammu and Kashmir government said today.

Goods worth Rs 1,496.96 crore were exported through Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh route between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016.

Similarly, items worth Rs 1,307.62 crore were imported through Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh route in the past three years, Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash informed the Legislative Council.

He said this in a reply to a question raised by National Conference (NC) MLC Shehnaz Ganai.

The state government has taken various steps to encourage the cross-LoC trade and travel at Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh, the minister said.

Besides, establishment of banking facilities at Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh trade facilitation centres have been approved by the government and the same has been conveyed to the Government of India, he said, adding that revised agreed list of items has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The minister further said the development of Chakan-da-Bagh and Salamabad crossing points has been proposed by the Tourism Department under Integrated Border Tourism Circuit Jammu and Border Tourism Circuit Kashmir under Prime Minister s Special Package.

Single entry permit and triple entry permit are presently in vogue to facilitate the cross-LoC travel, he added.