CAIT to seek recourse from Government and Judiciary against losses caused by protests

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) will now approach the Government and the Judiciary against the disruptions caused to trade due to political protest demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies. This step will be taken to protect business activities and the livelihoods of traders across the country. According to a report by ANI, an important decision in this regard will be taken during a one-day national meeting of senior trader leaders from all states in Delhi on 13 November.

This meeting will assess the commercial losses incurred in the national capital due to various protests over the last one month. An integrated strategy will be prepared to prevent such disruptions in the future. CAIT Secretary General and Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal stated that representatives of major trade organisations from various states will participate in this meeting. He further added that protest demonstrations affect not only shops and sales but also the supply chain, movement of goods, livelihoods of employees, and the cash flow of small businesses.

When such disruptions occur during important business periods like festival and wedding seasons, the situation becomes more serious. Therefore, the traders' association will also discuss determining locations outside cities or other appropriate venues where people can exercise their democratic rights without causing disturbance to main commercial centres, markets, transport routes, and essential business activities.

CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia stated that many other issues related to the trade sector will also be discussed in the 13 November meeting, including GST reforms, protection against cyber fraud, and simplification of business regulations. Regarding GST, the organisation will consider simplifying processes, reducing complexities for returns and compliance, resolving technical difficulties, and limiting unnecessary notices and litigations.

Discussions will also be held to seek protection against cyber fraud related to digital payments, UPI, banking transactions, and online commerce. It is likely that effective grievance redressal mechanisms, the issue of unnecessary freezing of bank accounts, and providing assistance to victims of cyber fraud will also be considered in this meeting. CAIT National Chairman Brij Mohan Agrawal stated that the concept of 'One Trader-One License' will also be discussed, which aims to reduce the need for traders to obtain multiple licenses from various departments to run a single business.

In addition, old laws, rules, and processes that increase the compliance burden on businesses will be reviewed, and CAIT is planning to prepare recommendations to repeal or amend them. Other items on the agenda include digital commerce, e-commerce, expansion of Bharat e-Mart, promoting indigenous products, strengthening MSMEs and exports, and improving access to new markets.