Cargo movement Integrated Check Post (ICP) hits roadblock

Amritsar, April 10
The cargo movement from India to Pakistan through the newly constructed Integrated Check Post (ICP) has hit a roadblock due to "exorbitant" labour charges being charged by contractors.
A delegation of importers and exporters today held a meeting with officials of the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) to lodge a protest against increased labour charges. They also gave a representation to AE Ahmed, Secretary, Border Management, who was on a visit to the ICP ahead of its inauguration on April 13.
Talking to The Tribune, Rajdeep Uppal, vice-president, Amritsar Exporters Chambers of Commerce, said they had decided not to send trucks to Pakistan until the matter was resolved for which they would be holding another round of talks with the officials and contractors tomorrow.
Uppal said they were surprised by a sudden increase in the labour charges. "The contractors have almost doubled the charges, which is unfair. Our contention is now that we have a huge infrastructure in the form of the ICP which will lead to an increase in trade volume, hence labour charges should have declined. But, these are not even maintained at the previous level," he said, adding that the traders were ready to pay "something reasonable".
Regarding the movement of Indian trucks to Pakistan, he said they didn't want the ICP to start on a negative note and therefore, they sent a few trucks of highly perishable goods to the neighbouring country today. He, however, said the labour charges of today's consignment would be paid according to the rates that would be decided in tomorrow's meeting.
Rajesh Setia, another exporter, dubbed the hike in handling charges as unjustified. "The charges were already high and now, these have been doubled. For instance, we used to pay Rs 1,200 for a truckload of soyabean, but now the contractors have increased the charges to Rs 2,600, which is unfair," he added.
Amritsar DC Rajat Aggarwal said though he was not aware of the issue, there should be no such problem as only the infrastructure had changed while the arrangements remained the same. "There should be no increase or decrease in charges. If there is any problem, we will sort it out," he said.
RK Duggal, Deputy Commissioner, Customs, could not be contacted for his comments.
Meanwhile, sources said though the goods were being imported from Pakistan, the lifting was not taking place due to the same reason.
This has come as another setback for the ICP, as already the passenger movement from Pakistan is not taking place from the new gate. Pakistan is adamant on its stand of continuing the passenger movement from the old gate as it does not have customs and immigration counters at the new gate.

Official reviews arrangements

AE Ahmed, Secretary, Border Management, today visited the ICP to take stock of the preparations for its inaugural ceremony on April 13. He stated that Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and representatives of Pakistan government will grace the occasion. He said after inaugurating the ICP, Chidambaram would visit the Golden Temple and the Jallianwalla Bagh. Ahmed also held talks with BSF and Punjab police officials regarding security and traffic arrangements for April 13.