After patiently waiting for several years for resolution of various core issues of the business community, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today sent a communication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi listing out failures of government authorities in mitigating problems of the traders of the Country.
CAIT National President B C Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal in letter to PM Modi lamented that his vision of uplifting the small businesses in the Country and providing them ease of doing business has been greatly defeated by the concerned authorities. They said that PMs vision was greatly appreciated by traders across the Country and it is a matter of record that business community did not leg behind in carrying your vision of Atamnirbhar Bharat, Digital India, Vocal on Local, Skil India and others down the line across nook & corner of the Country.
Both trade leaders deeply regretted that so far no authority has paid any attention towards upliftment of small businesses in the Country much against your mandate. Critical issues like complications of GST, mal-practices of e commerce companies, insurance to traders, one license in place of multiple licenses, Abrogation of redundant laws concerning trade, easy access to finance , though pension to traders scheme has been launched but the scheme has integral flaws, easy credit rating norms, upgradation & modernisation of existing format of retail trade are hanging fire since a long time.
Bhartia & Khandelwal said that there are more than 8 crore small businesses in the Country providing employment to more than 25 crore people and generating an annual turnover of about Rs 130 lakh crore and that too without any support policy. Whenever there is any natural calamity, the business community has always been in front row working as an extended arm of the Government. In covid pandemic, acting upon PM Modi’s call, the traders across the Country maintained the supply chain effectively throughout the Country which was appreciated by your good self as well. Likewise, the traders are always in a leading role in furthering social activities on a large scale all over the Country. However, it is deeply regretted that even for small issues, the traders have to run from pillar to post in resolving the issues.
Both trade leaders further said that several times, CAIT on its own requested concerned authorities to involve traders in participatory governance to widen the tax base and yielding more revenue to both Central and State Governments but our call was never answered.
Under the circumstances, we have been compelled to knock your doors with a request to please take immediate cognisance of the matter and accord us an earliest convenient appointment to place before you the issues for your kind consideration.- said Bhartia & Khandelwal Bhartia & Khandelwal assured PM Modi that the business community of the Country stands with him in solidarity and committed to work towards achieving your mission of making India a 5 trillion economy by 2024.
