GANGTOK, April 28: Its trade time again. But this time the same at Nathula came with an abrupt start following delayed information from the Department of Commerce in New Delhi. Border trade through Nathula is reported to resume from 1 May, informed sources in Department of Commerce, New Delhi today.
Amid unlikely note of vexation among Sikkimese traders over the probable date of trade resumption, the Chinese counterparts by now are reportedly all set for the cross border trade. However, Ms R Ongmu, Principal Secretary to Department of Commerce & Industries, government of Sikkim today confirmed no official receipt of communication(s) from New Delhi over the same.
According to sources, a review meeting taking in the Chinese Embassy, Union Ministry of Commerce, Immigration Department and representatives of state government was held on 25 April at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. The meeting decisions that came out the subsequent day received 1 May for resumption of trade across Nathula.
But the much awaited second season of the border trade apparently came more as a surprise, than an opportunity to the Sikkimese traders. With only 72 hours left, traders in Sikkim allowed no second thought in criticising the unexpected trade resumption. “They (the centre and state government) say this border trade will usher prosperity to Sikkim. But, if at all Nathula opens up for trade on 1 May, the hasty decision is definite to affect the trade poorly”, opined a trader in Gangtok today.
Speaking to our correspondent today, the General Secretary to Indo-China Traders’ Association of Sikkim, Anil Kumar Gupta confirmed that no trader in Sikkim is practically prepared for the trade as no intimidations is offered by the state government yet.
The President to Sikkim Chamber of Commerce, SK Sarda said participation in border trade calls for issuance of trade passes afresh and verifications thereof that takes on some time. “In any case, to avoid trade hitches, the District Collectors need to issue trade passes instantly based on verifications of last year”, Sarda added.
The Department of Commerce, government of India also reportedly extended the duration of trading season at Nathula from the existing duration (1 June to 30 September) to 1 May to 30 November in agreement with People’s Republic of China. The trading limit for every trader that was Rs 25,000 last year is also likely to be extended to Rs 1 Lakh this year
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