In a significant move supporting local traders, Delhi's BJP government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, announced on Sunday after a high-level meeting that the long-awaited GST refund of approximately ₹1600 crore, pending since 2019, will be credited to the traders' bank accounts before this year’s Diwali.
This initiative not only aims to alleviate the traders' long-standing wait but also seeks to bolster their financial standing in the festive season. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that the entire sum will be disbursed before Diwali, enabling the trading community to celebrate with greater enthusiasm.
On this occasion, Gupta targeted the previous government, stating, 'It is unfortunate that the former Aam Aadmi Party government took no concrete steps towards giving back this rightful due, causing traders' hard-earned money to remain stuck for years. Our government is committed to ensuring that our trader brothers and sisters receive their rightful earnings on time so that they can celebrate festivals with prosperity and joy.'
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Pledged Technological Reforms and Transparency
To expedite and make the refund process transparent, the government has leveraged technology. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revealed that in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad experts, a new, state-of-the-art IT system has been developed, ensuring prompt and accurate settlement of refund applications. This system aims to free traders from unnecessary delays and complexities. We aim to ensure that every application is processed in a time-bound and transparent manner, further strengthening traders' trust in the government.
Commitment to Traders' Welfare
The Chief Minister highlighted this step as a crucial initiative in honoring Delhi’s traders and accelerating the capital's economic progress. She stated, 'Delhi’s trader community is the backbone of our economy. Making their businesses easier and protecting their interests is our priority.' In this context, the government has also started working on various welfare schemes and training programs for traders, enabling them to leverage modern technologies and expand their businesses further. Following Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's announcement, a spokesperson from the Delhi Chamber of Commerce noted, 'This was a long-pending demand, and the government's decision brings us great relief.'
