The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has convened a day-long meeting of senior trade leaders from across the country on November 13 in New Delhi to formulate a strategy to safeguard trade and livelihoods from disruptions caused by political agitations, sit-ins and demonstrations.
The meeting will assess the losses suffered by businesses due to various agitations, sit-ins and demonstrations in Delhi over the past month, as well as their impact on traders, shopkeepers, small businesses, street vendors and others whose livelihoods depend on commercial activity.
Describing the disruption of commercial activity in the national capital as more than just shops remaining closed or a decline in sales, CAIT said the impact extended to supply chains, the movement of goods, employees’ livelihoods, cash flows of small businesses and the wider economy. The effects were particularly significant during crucial business periods, such as the festive and wedding seasons.
The traders’ body has called for suitable locations on the outskirts of every city to be designated for protests and demonstrations. This, it said, would allow people to exercise their democratic right to protest without disrupting major commercial centres, markets, transport routes and essential business activities. The meeting will deliberate on a coordinated national strategy to address the issue.
Other issues on the agenda include simplifying GST procedures by reducing complexities in returns and compliance requirements, protecting traders from cyber fraud through faster grievance redressal mechanisms, and discussing the concept of ‘One Trader-One Licence’.
The proposed integrated licensing system aims to eliminate the need for businesses to obtain multiple licences from different departments and authorities to operate a single establishment.
The meeting will also discuss ways to expand business opportunities through digital commerce, e-commerce and Bharat e-Mart, promote domestic products, strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), boost exports, improve access to new markets and encourage the adoption of modern technology to create more opportunities for small and medium-sized traders.
