Border traders float committee to ‘monitor’ prices

GANGTOK, 30 July: Sikkim traders are all set to resume trade with Tibetan Autonomous Region over the Nathula again this week whether it be via Rongli or through the JN Road, which it is informed, is open for light vehicles. However, this time the traders’ association has set up a committee to monitor the prices and seek to sort out the differences and disputes regarding different pricing of goods by traders engaged in border trade.
For the purpose of monitoring prices the traders’ association has come out with a rate chart of different goods and this chart is to be adhered to strictly by traders engaging in border trade. Anyone found selling goods at cheaper prices is to be ‘fined’.
However this remains a very controversial issue as there is no official mechanism or authority to fix selling rates of items to be sold at the border trade marts. So it is an open question as to with what authority this committee can monitor the rates fixed by the traders’ association and also as to how many of the active traders are willing to adhere to this.
This was decided upon by the association after the contingent of Indian traders returned from the trade mart on the Chinese side with the news that the Chinese authority were unwilling to cooperate – whether it be on the matter of fixing prices or on the matter of allowing more quantities of goods through and stop the confiscation of excess Indian goods.
Following the adamant attitude of the Chinese customs officials as well as the Chinese Trade Officer the traders’ association, sources inform, has also advised the Indian traders to refrain from exporting unlisted goods. The traders’ association has also called for all traders to cooperate and engage unitedly in trade with the Chinese for healthy association and business as well.
Cooperation from all traders would see some profits for the Indian traders who have been managing to keep the trade alive in spite of incurring huge transport costs resulting from the closure of JN Road and resorting to the Rongli route to Nathula.
As for the rates fixed by the Association, among the main items of trade, Sugar has been fixed at Rs. 2,400 per bag of 50 kg and Rs. 1,100 for 20 kgs; Vegetable oil has been fixed at Rs. 1,200 per jar; Rice at Rs. 1,350 for 25 kgs; the much in demand Aarti Rice has been fixed at Rs. 1,550 per 25 kgs and Parle G biscuits at Rs. 450 per carton.
Besides, the Traders’ Association has also decided to donate money for the reconstruction of the Shiva Mandir which has been dismantled /damaged due to the road widening works at JN Road. All members of the Association have been asked to contribute a like amount for the reconstruction of the mandir.