Indo-China border trade in jeopardy this year
Indo-China border trade in jeopardy this year
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, July 13
The Indo-China border trade which was supposed to start after six years seems to be in jeopardy as the group of Indian traders, waiting Chinese nod to commence border trade via Lipulekh pass this year, has now started returning to their home in Dharchula following failure of the Chinese authorities to allow them to enter Tibet for the past six days.
“The Chinese authorities have conveyed to us that as they have less houses and shops in Taklakot mart for Indian traders and they are constructing required houses and the process could take time even up to one month,” said Jeewan Singh Rongkali, president of Bharat -Cheen Seemant Vyapar Sangthan at Dharchula.
According to Rongkali, 26 traders,out of 28 tribal traders, and the same number of helpers, who had camped at Gunji since July 7 to enter into Tibet on July 8, have now returned to their homes at Dharchula due to attitude of Chinese authorities in giving permission to Indian traders.
” Had the trade started at the initial date of June 27, we would have sold over 55 percent of our goods in Taklakot till date,” said Rongkali.
According to Indian traders, they now face decay of over 3000 quintal of sugar candy and Gur, as moisture is increasing on these stored goods due to rains in this region. “While the Nepalese traders are doing good business in Purang mart in Tibet, the Indian traders are in quandary about the permission from Chinese authorities to enter Tibet,” said Ronkali.
Trade officer designated and SDM of Dharchula Ashish Joshi said that on request of letting entry to some Indian traders in Tibetan mart without goods, he has received message from Chinese authorities last evening saying that they will make the situation clear by this evening.” We have requested the Purang officials to let our traders into Tibet to take stock of actual situation of facilities for Indian traders available there, we are likely to receive the answer on it by today night,” said the SDM.
