Markets like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar need to be shifted to boost trade: Delhi CM

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday suggested shifting old crowded markets like Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar in Delhi to new places for strengthening trade and providing relief to the traders community in the city.

Addressing an event organised by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, Gupta highlighted various initiatives of the new BJP government in Delhi for boosting industry and trade.

The government requires support of the traders community to strengthen trade and business in Delhi, she said. Traders in old markets like Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar face lot of problems in doing business from small, cramped spaces where it's difficult to even breathe, she stated addressing the programme gathering.

"The need of the day is that all such markets should be set up at some new place to provide them broader scope, strengthen trade and provide relief to the traders," Gupta said.

Delhi has "lagged far behind" in the past 10 years as the previous governments lacked both intent and vision to work, she said. "They only knew about fighting and blame games while doing much publicity of whatever little work they did," she said, referring to the previous AAP government.

Elaborating on various initiatives of her government, the chief minister said a traders' welfare board will be formed so that the business and trade community's grievances could be redressed through one platform.

She also said the government is working "seriously" to bring an amnesty scheme concerned with goods and services tax (GST) for the Delhi traders.

"In a recent meeting with GST department officials, I made the officers understand that no afsarshahi (officialdom) will be allowed and the traders need be treated with respect and helped. Why should a trader be made to wait outside offices for hours? I have warned that if any officer harasses any trader, he will face my wrath," Gupta said.

She asserted that the system needs to be made easier and friendlier for traders so that they themselves come forward to meet their tax liabilities. "No trader wants to evade paying tax. They just need a simple process to pay it," she said and emphasised on the commitment of her government to work towards this end.

Gupta said there was no industrial policy of Delhi and invited the traders to come up with a draft for it. "We will bring a good, simple industrial policy to end the problems. Single window system, ease of doing business, hassle-free licensing — the government is working on it," she said.

Solutions to all problems related to industry and trade in the city is now possible because of the "triple-engine government" of the BJP at the Centre, Delhi and MCD, Gupta said.