India’s Top Trade Bodies Plan Reforms on GST, Cyber Fraud and Licensing at CAT Meet
On 13 November, the Confederation of All India Traders will convene in Delhi for a national conference that will host senior leaders from trade associations nationwide.
The gathering aims to devise a coordinated response to shield merchants from the economic fallout of protests, demonstrations and sit‑ins that have recently hampered daily business.
A key demand will be the establishment of pre‑identified protest zones on the periphery of cities, allowing citizens to exercise democratic rights without obstructing commercial hubs, transport arteries or essential market activity.
The program also includes discussions on GST overhaul to ease filing, robust defenses against cyber‑theft targeting merchants, implementation of a single “one merchant‑one licence” model, and the removal of obsolete legal provisions that impose unnecessary compliance costs.
CAT’s secretary, Praveen Khandelwal, stressed that disruptions in the capital affect not only retail turnover but also supply‑chain continuity, cash flow for small shop owners, employment generation, and the broader macro‑economy, particularly during high‑spending festive and wedding seasons.
The federation intends to present its protest‑site proposal to state governments and municipal bodies, seeking a unified stance that can be escalated to judicial and governmental forums.
National president B.C. Bharatia noted that the summit will also look at simplifying GST procedures, cutting superfluous notices, and reducing litigation that stalls business growth.
Sessions will examine safeguards for digital payments, protection against UPI and banking fraud, mechanisms for rapid grievance resolution, and concerns over the freezing of bank accounts.
Additional topics will cover the simplification of licensing processes, expansion of single‑window clearances, reduction of redundant inspections, promotion of e‑commerce, indigenous product sales, strengthening of MSMEs, export outreach, new market penetration and the integration of modern technologies.
The final recommendations will be compiled into a comprehensive action plan that balances the right to protest with the need to protect trade activities and ensure the livelihoods of millions of Indian merchants.