CBC RAISES LOCAL TRADERS’ ISSUES BEFORE TRADE LEADER AND MP PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL

Face2News/Chandigarh

Demands for OTS Scheme for Pending VAT Cases, GST Simplification, Rationalization of Penalties, Ease of Doing Business Reforms, and Long-Pending Amendments to Building Bye-Laws Raised at CAIT Traders’ Meet

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Business Council (CBC) participated in a Traders’ Meet organized by the Chandigarh Chapter of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The event was attended by prominent traders, industrialists, and representatives of various trade associations from Chandigarh and adjoining areas.

The conference was addressed by Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk (Delhi) and National Secretary General of CAIT, as the Chief Guest. He interacted extensively with members of the trading community and discussed a wide range of issues concerning traders and entrepreneurs.

Representing CBC at the conference were Ajay Gupta, President; Jagdish Arora, Chairman; Neeraj Bajaj, Chief Patron; Avi Bhasin, Vice-President; and Sanjay Pahwa, General Secretary. The delegation also submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting several long-pending concerns of Chandigarh’s business community.

The memorandum primarily focused on the implementation of a One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for pending VAT cases, simplification of GST procedures, rationalization of penalties, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and long-awaited amendments to the building bye-laws affecting commercial properties in Chandigarh.

Among the major demands raised by CBC was permission to convert SCFs (Shop-cum-Flats) and SCOs (Shop-cum-Offices) located in Chandigarh’s inner markets across Sectors 1 to 31 into box-type structures. This long-pending issue has been affecting a large number of property owners and traders. The delegation also sought the introduction of a leasehold-to-freehold conversion policy, industrial reforms, and greater flexibility in the usage of commercial properties.

Responding positively to the concerns raised by traders, MP Praveen Khandelwal assured the delegation that he would take up the matter of the proposed OTS Scheme for Chandigarh VAT cases with the Union Home Ministry and the Finance Ministry. He further stated that other issues highlighted in the memorandum, particularly those related to commercial property reforms, would be discussed with the Chandigarh Administration and the concerned authorities.