Trade with China through Nathu La is on
the wane since the border trade recommenced on 19 May.
Indian traders are apathetic towards the trade, as the trade
list has not been revised. “Presently we are exporting
utensils, blankets, copper, tea, spices and tinned-food which
has limited scope in Chinese markets,” said Mr Anil
Kumar Gupta, general secretary of Indo-China Traders Association
(ICTA). “We had drawn the state government and the Centre's
attention on the issue urging them to revise the trade list
but our efforts have gone in vain,” he added.
The number of traders has also reduced in comparison to last
year, indicating that the much touted border trade is losing
hope. “This year only 25 traders renewed their trade
passes as compared to last year's 400 renewals,” confirmed
Mr Vishal Chauhan DC east. “Out of the 25, only 10 traders
have taken their passes and are actually involved in the border
trade this year,” he added.
“We sent four reminders to the Union commerce minister,
New Delhi regarding our traders’ problems and also asked
them to revise the obsolete trade list but that has gone unheeded,”
said Mrs S Pradhan an official with the state commerce and
industries department. “Everything now depends on the
Centre and the Chinese government,” she added.
Border trade through Nathu La (situated at an altitude of
14,420 ft) was earlier hit by the disastrous earthquake in
China and a landslide in the Tibet Autonomous Region postponing
the reopening.
Courtesy: The Statesman |
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