Srinagar: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Thursday said his government has made "progress" in talks with the Centre over extending banking and telecommunication facilities to LoC traders. Sayeed said talks were also on for clearance of proposed trade delegation to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for smooth conduct of cross-LoC trade.
"The State Government has achieved progress in the negotiations with Centre over extending banking and telecom facilities and clearance of proposed trade delegation to Muzaffarabad (capital of PoK) for business-related discussions, which are vital for smooth conduct of cross-LoC trade," Sayeed said after laying foundation stone for several works at Salamabad near the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of Baramulla district.
He said the issues can be clinched if both India and Pakistan agree to the proposal in the meetings of the Joint Working Group (JWG), held between the two countries from time-to-time.
Describing cross-LoC ties as the biggest Confidence Building Measure for ushering in peace and harmony between the two countries, Sayeed said "Kashmir has its own unique identity that India has recognized".
The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to four-laning of Uri-Kaman Post Road saying his Government is working on a plan to promote Kashmir Handicraft as a major tradeable item in cross-LoC business.
"The demand of increasing the number of items being traded at the two cross Line of Control trade points Salamabad and Chakan da Bagh (Poonch) and opening more trade points is under the active consideration and being vigorously pursued with the Union Government," he said.
Sayeed said he favours more meeting points across the LoC so that people are able to interact and exchange ideas and in this connection referred to the steps taken by European Union in breaking physical barriers in bringing the countries with political and ideological differences together.
"The real bonhomie between India and Pakistan exists at the two cross-LoC points of Salamabad and Chakan da Bagh. The reality is what we are observing here, not what is shown," he said referring to the outpouring of emotions, love and affection witnessed when people from the two sides of LoC meet each other.
This was the second visit of Sayeed to Uri since taking over as Chief Minister in March this year.
Sayeed, on his earlier visit to Salamabad and Kaman Post two-and-a-half-months ago, had given a slew of directions to explore new avenues to expand cross-LoC trade and travel so that it becomes a show-window for visitors, who on their arrival, witness strides made by Jammu and Kashmir on the developmental front. Besides setting into motion work on Phase II Projects at Salamabad costing Rs 12.60 crore today, he also laid foundation of the residential accommodation at Trade
Facilitation Centre (TFC) besides inaugurated the Jabla Bridge and a cafeteria at Kaman Post, meant to facilitate the outbound and incoming cross-LoC travellers. Sayeed also emphasized upon involving local people as stakeholders in cross-LoC trade.
He said the Government has engaged reputed consultants to develop Uri as a Gateway to cross-LoC trade and a 'smart town', which will be a blend of Kashmir's traditional architecture and modernity. He also viewed a presentation by State Tourism Department that will work to transform Uri into a smart town at a cost of Rs 13.85 crore.
The broad features of the project are modernization of Uri bus stand, up-gradation of inner link roads, creation of hotel accommodation and wayside facilities leading towards Salamabad, landscaping and plantation of fruit and ornamental trees in and around the town to improve the ambiance.
The Chief Minister issued directions for working out modalities so that the work on the project is commenced and completed in a time-bound manner. He also passed instructions for developing a big recreational park at Uri.
Earlier, Officials of Industries and Commerce gave a detailed presentation about the present status of cross-LoC trade, informing the Chief Minister that cumulatively, items worth over Rs 1700 crore as trade in and trade out have been bartered via Salamabad, while export-import figures for Chakan da Bagh stood at Rs 535 crore.
The Chief Minister was also briefed about the status of issues taken up with the Centre, which include revision of agreed list of items, banking facility at TFCs and installation of full body truck scanners.
