The Parliamentary Accounts Committee has slammed the "lackadaisical approach" of the Commerce and Textile ministries officials in addressing the trade facilitation issues to improve exports and imports. In a report, the panel also noted that the lack of last-mile connectivity has adversely affected India's trade facilitation efforts. "The Committee (is) dismayed to note the lackadaisical approach of Department of Commerce and Ministry of Textiles in initiating/implementing trade facilitation measures. The committee desire(s) the Cabinet Secretary to convene meetings of the various ministries/departments regularly besides the meetings of the NCTF (National Committee on Trade Facilitation) to monitor their progress and contribution," the report said. The report, which was finalized by a sub-committee headed by BJP member Nishikant Dubey, has also advocated "stringent steps" against those who have not adhered to timelines. Before finalizing the report, the panel had accepted submissions from senior officials of Ministry of Textiles, Department of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Railway Board, FIEO, and FICCI. In the report, the panel recommended that Department of Commerce or DGFT should also analyze the impact of measures taken for trade facilitation and prepare a plan for the next five years to reduce transaction costs further.