Governor orders verification of cross-LoC traders

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 18

Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday reviewed issues relating to cross-LoC trade and stressed identifying the existing systems and procedures in the LoC trade framework, which require improvement or change.

He directed that the roster of movement should be finalised well in advance, a one-point screening of all trade vehicles should be put in place, an effective mechanism should be formulated to detect smuggling of narcotics or banned items, and a system should be in place to ensure against undervaluation of goods.

The Governor directed the Director General of Police and the Principal Secretary (Industries) to undertake complete verification of all traders engaged in the LoC trade within a month. He said the traders who do not furnish the required documents or have doubtful antecedents should be de-registered without delay.

He further directed that the roster system should be made online and public on the first day of every month and CCTV cameras should be installed at trading centres within two months.

Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam was directed to ensure that amendments were made to the required standard operating procedures to ensure that no trader could transfer his turn to another trader. Further, the Principal Secretary (Industry) was directed to take urgent action to ensure that no registered trader had other persons, family members or firms unlawfully involved in the trade. The Governor directed the Principal Secretary and the Commerce Department to computerise the records of the trade and ensure that the traders compulsorily reconcile accounts with their counter-parties every three months.

Earlier, the Principal Secretary made a presentation on the framework and procedures of the LoC trade.