Kolkata: China-India trade through the recently reopened Nathu La pass has come to a halt since Monday due to a "procedural" problem.

Sikkim's Commerce and Industries Department Secretary Karma Gyatso told The Hindu over telephone from Siliguri on Tuesday that the Customs personnel at the border refused transit of goods unless local traders furnished their import-export code number issued against their Permanent Account Number. The issue has been referred to the Union Commerce Ministry and is expected to be sorted out in a few days.

Robust trade

Trade, which resumed after 44 years through the pass on July 6, had been continuing four days a week till recently. On an average 100 traders from each side were crossing the border.

Sikkim's traders do not have PAN cards as the State goes by its own Income Tax Manual, and income tax and other direct taxes are not applicable to them. Speaking from Gangtok, Department Director S. P. Subba said last Thursday that the Customs staff suddenly started demanding from Indian traders their PAN cards for allowing passage.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling discussed the issue with a delegation of local traders and officials in Gangtok on Monday. He will be following it up when he visits New Delhi next week. "A 11-member committee has been set up to look into various aspects of trade through the Nathu La and will also be visiting Renqinggang in Tibet, China," Adviser to Chief Minister, B. B. Goorong, said.

Mr. Gyatso said there was "a communication gap" between the authorities and the Customs staff on duty at the pass.

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