India-China trade on barter system begins

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 23

The India-China cross border trade across the 18,599 feet Shipki La started today with seven traders crossing over with their merchandise even as the ban on trade of livestock, which is in huge demand, continues.

A total of 62 traders have applied for permits for the cross-border trade still being undertaken on barter system. The authorities have issued permits to 18 traders and finished the verification of another 10.

All seven traders, who went across Tibet, hail from Chango village. They carried carpets, spices and other handloom articles which are in great demand in Tibet.

The trade has started since 1992 and registered a steady increase, except last year.

The ban on the sale of livestock, which is in a huge demand on the Indian side, still continues. Despite the state government requesting the Ministry of Commerce to the lift the ban on livestock trading, the Centre has yet to yield to the plea. The traders have been demanding a quarantine laboratory at Chupan and Namgiya to pave the way for resumption of livestock trade like chiku goats, horses and mules.

“Even though the trade started today, none of the issues raised by us with officials has been taken up, which means that the traders will have to face inconvenience with no provision of a road, drinking water or pre-fabricated structures at Chuppan,” said Hishey Negi, president of the Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association.

He lamented that despite Rs 71 lakh being sanctioned almost a year and a half back for setting up pre-fabricated structures for traders’ stay, there had been no headway.

“The land for setting up huts was also identified almost three years back, but the work has not begun,” said Negi. He added that he would raise the issue again at the trade meeting shortly.

The Doklam standoff had cast its shadow on the India-China trade which witnessed a drastic decline from Rs 8.59 crore in 2016 to a mere Rs 59.21 lakh in 2017.

The traders had raised the issue of road on either side of the border to facilitate the carriage of goods as they had to cover a long distance on mules, unlike Nathu La where a road had been made.