Nathu La trade in a lurch
Posted by barunroy on July 8, 2008
GANGTOK, July 7: 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. [Inset: File Picture of Sikkim Chief Minister arriving at Nathu La for the Nathu La Border Trade Reopening Ceremony on July 6, 2006. Photo by Sarkaritel.com]
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.
