Governor, Mr N N Vohra, today reviewed the Cross-LoC trade and discussed the modalities for the visit of a delegation of the representatives of Chambers of Industries, various traders’ associations, manufacturers and fruit growers of the Jammu and Kashmir regions, to Pak occupied Kashmir.
Advisor to Governor, Mr H H Tyabji, Principal Secretary to Governor, Mr B B Vyas and Commissioner/ Secretary Industries and Commerce, Dr Pawan Kotwal, were among those present in the meeting.
The Governor was informed that various Trade and Industries Federations and Fruit Growers Associations of both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions have approached the Nodal Officer for the Cross-LoC-Trade, with a list of members of the proposed trade delegation from the State for intensive trade related discussions with their counterparts in Pak occupied Kashmir.
After discussions in the meeting taken by the Governor, on list of all the 119 persons, including the names of 40 persons from the Jammu Division, was handed over to sh. Ashok Bhan, Director General of Police, CID, who assured the Governor that, notwithstanding the comprehensive procedures in processing such matters, the required clearance of the names of proposed traders’ delegation to PoK would be accorded within a day, by November 13th 2008, and forwarded to the respective Regional Passport Officers on the same day. It was stated in the meeting that, normally, the request for issuance of ‘permit’ for travel cross-LOC is requested to be made by the applicant to the Regional Passport Officer. However, on the instructions of the Governor, the requirement of receiving such requests for clearance to visit PoK through concerned Passport Officers has been dispensed with, as a special case. All the persons who have indicated their interest in the visit to PoK are being informed to immediately approach the concerned Passport Officers, with all necessary documents etc, so as to complete the requisite formalities on the most urgent basis.
As regards the procedure to be followed in future, it was clarified in the meeting that any bonafide trader, who intends to visit PoK for the Cross-LoC trade will require to apply to the respective General Manager of the District Industries Centres of Baramulla and Poonch, who have been designated as the Custodian for Cross-LoC trade from Salamabad in Uri and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Poonch, respectively, alongwith all necessary documents. The General Managers of the District Industries Centres shall then forward such cases to the designated CID officer for verification after which the papers shall be forwarded to the Regional Passport Officer for issuance of ‘permits’.