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Trade curbs hurt livelihood

of thousands of Indians

Those who were drawing their bread and butter including porters, drivers, staff of clearing agents
and imports houses besides the importers and traders are in a state of shock as a result of sudden

hike of 200 per cent in import duty on goods imported from Pakistan, reports komal amit gera

ar may sometimes be a (No 05/2019-Customs dated 16/02/2019) ‘originating from Pakistan’ shows that
necessary evil, but no wherein the Import duty leviable on all the cargo originated in Pakistan but
matter how necessary, goods originating in or exported from will be exported from Pakistan or other
it is always an evil, nev- The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, falling countries on or after the notification
W er a good. This quote by under the first schedule to the Customs date. This will restrict import from
the former American President Jimmy Tariff Act 1975 is increased to 200 per Pakistan to India, no doubt. But the
Carter aptly depicts the plight of thou- cent by amending the 1st schedule to word ‘exported from Pakistan’ denotes
sands of Indians who lost their liveli- the Customs Tariff Act. cargo has already been exported from
hood abruptly after a sudden decision At present more than 120 containers Pakistan. Imposing a higher rate of
by the Government of India to impose at Cochin Port, around 200 Containers duty on cargo sailed out from Pakistan
phenomenal increase in trade tariffs on at Tuticorin and about 90 truckloads will cause only the importer in India to
imports from Pakistan in the aftermath of material is lying in the warehouse lose. So, Government of India with this
of Pulwama attack. of ICP (Integrated Checkpost) at Attari notification, perhaps without weigh-
TIn the wake of the Pulwama terror- border as importers are not able to pay ing its repercussions, is penalising the
ist attack on the Indian Army, the Gov- 200 per cent duty. citizens whose cargo has already sailed
ernment of India issued a Notification The wording in the notification out from Pakistan but has not yet

Tehelka / 30 april 2019 46 www.Tehelka.com