SRINAGAR (IHK): In occupied Kashmir, the puppet authorities have not lifted the ban, imposed on the import of more than six items from Azad Jammu and Kashmir including Ginger, Garlic, Dates, Raisins and Pista, which are gaining popularity in the territory, KMS reported on Wednesday.

The President of Jammu and Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Farooq Ahmad Dar in a statement issued in Srinagar termed ban unjustified, saying, it seemed that the authorities did not want cross-LoC trade to flourish.

He said that the authorities had banned the items after some non-Kashmiri traders lobbied with them because they felt that the import of quality products from across would give them stiff competition.

The KCCI President maintained that the grounds of ban were unreasonable as the decision was taken because of plant protection and storage certificate. “If the problem was such why India did not impose ban on such items in the beginning of trade. The ban was imposed only after items became popular,” he added.

Imtiyaz Ahmad, a trader who deals with vegetables at Parimpora vegetable market, said that soon after the ban on the imported items, their rates shot up in the occupied valley.

“It is Kashmiri trader and customer at the receiving end. The items have become expensive as they have to be imported from Indian Punjab and New Delhi through which Indian traders are minting money,” he added.