Border trade continues via Rongli through Nathu La
GANGTOK, 24 AUG: The Indo-China border trade through Nathu La resumed today after remaining closed since 1 August due to landslides along the JN Marg, connecting Nathu La with Gangtok.
The road leading to Nathu La border was completely washed off near the Mandakini falls during the landslide. According to officials of the state commerce and industries department, 17 Indian traders used the alternate route RN Marg through Rongli in East District to reach Nathu La today.
It was also reported that 38 traders from the Chinese side visited Nathu La today.
According to customs department reports, Indian goods worth over Rs 10 lakh were exported in August last year, while this August the volume till date stood nil due to road closure. Similarly, no transaction was reported for the months of May and June this year.
The total exports for July this year is Rs 9.24 lakh, while last year the exports were Rs 7 Lakhs in the corresponding period. The Indo-China border trade between Sikkim and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) takes place from May to 31 November every year.
It is also informed that the Sikkim government has repeatedly approached the Centre for revision of the list of tradable items.
As per the bilateral agreement in 2006 only 29 items can be exported to the TAR from the Indian side while the Chinese traders can export only 15 items as per the prescribed scheduled items allowed for the border trade. Traders from both sides have been demanding the revision of tradable items, saying that the present items listed in the schedule are obsolete and do not have commercial value
