Traders make hay from cross-LoC business
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, June 23
It’s not the people who are benefiting from the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade, but traders on the either side who are making the most of one of the main confidence- building measures between India and Pakistan.

The trade between the two countries follows the barter system wherein goods are exchanged from both sides. Sources in the district administration as also local sources told TNS that even as the trade had witnessed phenomenal increase since the time it was started through Poonch-Rawlakote cross-LoC road more than seven months ago, it had not benefited the people on the either side in any way. They added that it was the traders who were reaping the maximum benefit.

Since the prices of commodities on the either side are cheaper, people should have been benefited, but that did not happen, the sources said, adding that of the main items traded, including moong dal (green gram), onion and Peshawari chappal, the margin of traders varied between 100 and 1,000 per cent. They added that items like garlic, which is no longer on the list of tradable items since its import from Pakistan was banned due to plant quarantine measures, also brought huge profits to traders on both sides.

“Moong dal (green gram) is being sent by the traders from Pakistan at the rate of Rs 25 (Indian currency) per kg, but the same is being sold by here at Rs 55. Similarly, Peshawari chappal is bought from Pakistan at Rs 250 per pair, but the traders here sell the same for Rs 500 per pair, thus a profit of 100 per cent,” sources said.

“Onion is being send by Indian traders to Pakistan at the price of Rs 14 (in Pakistani currency) per kg, but the same quantity is being sold there at Rs 40. Similar is the case of other vegetables and fruits being sold by local traders to those in Pakistan, who are making huge profits”.

A reliable source in the district administration said had the respective governments checked the profit margins of the traders, people would have been benefited, but in the absence of any check, traders were making hay.

A senior officer in the district administration told The Tribune that the central government did not want to disturb the trade. “We also feel that people should also benefit from the trade between the two countries. Presently, only traders on both sides are reaping the maximum profit. The prices of the items traded from Pakistan should be monitored but for that the government has to take steps,” he said.