SDA to develop trade in Nathu La

Gangtok, Apr 19 (UNI) Sikkim government has constituted a set of administrative bodies to facilitate smooth trade operations through Nathu La from June.

The border trade though the Nathu La, part of an old silk route closed since 1962 Sino-Indian war, re-opened last year following a series of negotiations between the two countries.

The state government has constituted Sherathang Development Agency (SDA) with East District Collector as its President and representatives from the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce and Association of Indo-China Border Trade as members to tide over the shortcomings and regulate and promote the border trade, official sources said here today.

The main objective of the SDA is to develop the Sherathang trade mart and improve infrastructure. It would also monitor construction of roads, drainage, buildings, commercial establishments and ensure supply of electricity and water through departments concerned in the area.

The traders have been demanding several ramifications to the old trade rules that included development of infrastructure, revision of the items listed for trading and abolition of ceiling for trade now fixed at Rs 25,000 per trader per day.

The agency was asked to constitute a cell called ''Nathu la Cell'' comprising officers from the state commerce and industry department. The cell will be responsible for alloting space in the trade mart to license holders for the smooth trade operation.

In addition, the state government has also constituted a high level monitoring committee with Chief Minister as its Chairman to monitor the functioning of the SDA.

Meanwhile, the state government had also requested the Centre to hold talks with their Chinese counterpart to revise the items listed for trading and hike the trade amount to Rs one lakh per trader per day.

UNI