Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Establishes Traders Welfare Board to Support 8 Lakh Traders

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has introduced the Delhi Traders Welfare Board, aiming to make the city more accommodating for traders. This initiative was a significant promise in the BJP's Assembly election manifesto. The board is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing trade and industry, thereby contributing to Delhi's economic development.

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The board's primary focus will be on addressing the needs of traders and industrialists. It will concentrate on policy formation, tackling regulatory challenges, and improving trader welfare. Additionally, it aims to boost employment and attract investment. The board will be chaired by Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and include a 15-member committee with nine trade activists and six government officials.

Trader Welfare and Economic Growth

The government has allocated a grant-in-aid of Rs 10 crore for the board, which will be used for various welfare schemes. This funding is part of the budget dedicated to supporting traders. The board will also provide legal assistance, organise events, and develop an IT portal to facilitate communication between traders and the government.

By simplifying regulatory frameworks and streamlining processes, the board aims to ease regulatory challenges for traders. It will implement welfare schemes to ensure the well-being of traders while fostering an environment that encourages employment and investment opportunities.

Bridging Communication Gaps

The board will serve as a link between the government and the trading community, ensuring that their suggestions and concerns reach policymakers directly. Gupta highlighted that traders in Delhi have faced issues like lack of an effective grievance platform, exclusion from policy-making, regulatory complexities, and inadequate social security.

Nitin Gupta, president of the Kamala Nagar Traders Association, expressed that the approval of this board is a historic decision for Delhi's traders. "This step will definitely promote ease of doing business and will prove to be a milestone towards making Delhi an investment-friendly, transparent, and business-friendly capital," he stated.

Future Initiatives

There are approximately eight lakh traders registered with Delhi's Trade and Taxes Department. To further boost economic growth, the BJP government plans to hold Delhi's first Global Investment Summit every two years under this new board. This summit aims to attract investors and enhance economic development in the capital.

The establishment of the Delhi Traders Welfare Board marks a significant move towards improving business conditions in Delhi. By addressing key issues faced by traders and promoting investment opportunities, this initiative is set to transform Delhi into a more business-friendly city.

With inputs from PTI