Only 8 Tibetan traders allowed for 'Janjatiya Utsav'

Shimla, Oct. 29 (UNI) The Chinese government has given permission to just eight traders from Tibet to participate in the 4-day 'Janjatiya Utsav ' begining tomorrow at Rekong Peo, the headquarters of the tribal district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.

This popular trade fair of the tribal districts would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner, P C Graik told UNI that the event is part of the Indo-Chinese trade treaty of 1994 in which 29 items from India could be exchanged (exported) and 15 items could be imported from China on 'No cash, exchange of items' basis.

He said that the state government had requested the Union Government to approach China for increasing the volume of trade by adding another two items each from either side for exchange.

He said that relevance of this event had declined in the last couple of years as the Chinese government had shown no positive signs of increasing the volume of trade. Moreover the entry of Tibetans is restricted by the Chinese government, he added.

The Deputy Commissioner said that in 1994-95 Chinese items worth about Rs 14 lakh were traded at the fair and last year this figure stood at Rs 34,000 only. Wool and Pashmina are the prominent items which are traded in the Utsav.

He said that the quantum of items coming from across the border is limited to Rs 25,000 per trader. He said that about 27 Tibetan traders had applied for taking part in this event but permission was given to only eight.

He said that for the first time in the event, tribal bands would showcase their talents at this fair along with tribal song and dance groups.

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