As tension mounts along LoC, Pak 'halts' import of cotton, vegetables from India

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...pended-amid-border-firing/article20550475.ece

Cross-border trade between India and Pakistan was suspended for a day following continuous exchange of fire between the two sides along the Line of Control (LoC).

Chakan Da Bagh Trade Centre wore a deserted look as opposed to the days when the inter-country trade is in full swing.

District Development Commissioner (Poonch) Tariq Ahamad Zargar said the intermittent firing created panic amongst the locals and trade for the day was called off as a precautionary measure.

Schools in Shahpur and Degwar areas of Poonch, which lie close to the LoC, were also closed for the day. The cross-LoC trade, which started in 2008, has often been suspended due to animosity between India and Pakistan.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...cords-at-chakan-da-bagh-in-poonch/517409.html

Shyam Sood
Rajouri, December 22

A National Investigating Agency (NIA) team today visited Chakan da Bagh cross Line of Control (LoC) point in Poonch district and reportedly checked trade exchange activities (movement of trucks) and relevant records in the office of the custodian, Trade Felicitation Centre (TFC).

An NIA team had recently detected that huge funds illegally generated by few traders involved in cross-LoC trade on the Poonch-Rawalkot and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes were being used for funding terrorists and separatists. “I was in Jammu today to attend a meeting and my staff informed me about the visit of the NIA team to Chakan da Bagh cross LoC point. The team checked some records in the office and took stock of the movements of trucks and loading and unloading of goods,” said Tanveer Khan, custodian, TFC.

The cross-LoC trade has come under the scanner following the detection of huge funding to separatists through illegal means. It has also come to light that the NIA has proposed to convey to the Ministry of Home Affairs to close the trade, but the coalition government considers cross-LoC trade as one of the biggest confidence building measures for establishing people-to-people link between two parts of the divided state.

The Union Government has reportedly decided to take harsh steps to check funding to anti-national forces through cross-LoC trade.

The NIA is already investigating the misuse of cross-LoC trade and has quizzed many traders. It has detected “under and over-invoicing” of the products traded, especially in the exchange of almonds under the barter system of trade, and started investigations after registering an FIR in the case. Initial investigations have revealed that few traders involved in illegal activities had imported goods of much higher value than what they exported.

A part of the amount the traders gained from additional import of goods has reportedly landed into the hands of separatists and terrorists to sustain unrest and terrorism in the state.


A court here on Friday extended till January 19 the judicial custody of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin’s son Syed Shahid, who has been arrested in a six-year-old terror funding case. Shahid, 42, a J&K Government employee, was arrested here on October 24 after he was called for questioning at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters. He was remanded in seven-day NIA custody last Wednesday. He was on Friday presented before District Judge Poonam Bamba, who, during the in-camera proceedings, extended his judicial custody. IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Commerce & Industry
16-May, 2018 16:54 IST
Clarification on Import of Sugar from Pakistan

It has been observed that there have been some misinformed news reports appearing in the media about import of sugar from Pakistan.

Import of Sugar from Pakistan

It is clarified that in FY 2018-19 (Till 14.5.2018), import of sugar from Pakistan has been just 1908 MT for a value of USD 0.657 million. In 2017-18, there was an import of 13,110 MT for a value of USD 4.68 million.

We must see this import in the overall context that total annual sugar production of India is about 31.90 million MT in Sugar season 2017-18. Further, India exported 1.75 million MT in 2017-18. During April-May 2018, the total export of sugar has been 240,093 MT. Thus import from Pakistan has been very miniscule as compared to total production in the country and exports from India. Further, it has been reported that Pakistan Government has provided cash freight subsidy of Rs 10.7 per kg on sugar.

Import Policy of Sugar

At present import of sugar is free with a customs duty of 100%. There is no Pakistan specific restriction for any item for imports to India.

India is under WTO obligation of MFN treatment (equal and non discriminatory treatment to all countries) for all WTO member countries including Pakistan.

Imports
Value-wise, in the year 2016-17, total import of sugar was USD 1,019 million and it declined to USD 934 million in 2017-18. During April-May 2018, the total import of sugar has been USD 37.75 million.

Quantity-wise, in the year 2016-17, total import of sugar was 2.14 million MT and it marginally increased to 2.40 million MT in 2017-18. During April-May 2018, the total import of sugar has been 116,512 MT.

Sugar is mostly imported from Brazil.
Sugar if imported under Advanced Authorisation is meant for export only and not for domestic sale.

For making customs duty payment, importers can use MEIS (merchandise Exports from India) scrips These scrips are either received from Government against exports as exports incentives. Alternatively, importers can purchase them from other exporters as these scrips are free tradable.

Quality checks on import of sugar from Pakistan
We have requested Customs to carry out rigorous inspections as well as sampling for quality testing in FSSAI labs of sugar imports particularly at Mumbai and Wagha.

Exports
Quantity-wise, in the year 2016-17, total export of sugar was 2.54 million MT and it decreased to 1.75 million MT in 2017-18. During April-May 2018, the total export of sugar has been 240,093 MT.

Value-wise, in the year 2016-17, total export of sugar was USD 1,285 million and it declined to USD 805 million in 2017-18. During April-May 2018, the total export of sugar has been USD 91 million.

Statement of country wise imports and exports of sugar during last two years and 2018-19 (Till 14May) is annexed.

Click here for the Data

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