Srinagar, June 27:  After remaining suspended for nearly four weeks, cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between divided parts of Kashmir will resume from Tuesday following assurances from the state government to the traders of improved facilities.
 "We have decided to resume trade from tomorrow following the assurances given by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that our demands will be considered favourably," Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Union General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Turki told PTI.
 He said trucks carrying goods for export to Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK) have already reached Salamabad trade facilitation centre in Uri sector of Baramulla district.
 Cross-LoC trade is conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday on a barter basis, but was suspended in May after traders accused the state government of neglecting their demands.
 Among the major demands of the traders are exempting cross-LoC trade from the purview of Value Added Tax (VAT), as they claimed  that trade between this side and PaK should be treated as intra-state business.
 The other demands are expanding the list of items that can be traded, setting up of banking and communication facilities and construction  of covered godowns at Salamabad.
 During a meeting last week, Omar assured traders that the demands falling within the jurisdiction of the state government will be considered  sympathetically, while those falling in the ambit of the Union government will be taken up with the Centre.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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