
New Delhi [India], August 31 (ANI): The Delhi Government has announced a major relief measure for the capital’s trading community ahead of Diwali. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that nearly Rs 1,600 crore in pending GST refunds, outstanding since 2019, will be released before the festival, enabling traders to celebrate with greater joy and prosperity, according to an official release.
The Chief Minister convened a special meeting of the Department of Trade and Taxes (GST) at her camp office, Chief Minister Jan Seva Sadan. The meeting was attended by GST Commissioner Nandini Paliwal, Finance Secretary Shurveer Singh, and other senior officials. During the meeting, a key decision was made in favor of Delhi’s trading community.
Gupta noted that the previous government had failed to take concrete steps toward settling this long-pending amount. Taking serious note of the matter, she issued clear directions that the entire refund be disbursed before Diwali. She also announced that to speed up and bring transparency to the process, the Delhi GST Department, in collaboration with IIT-Hyderabad, has developed an advanced IT module. The system, based on data analytics, automation, and expedited verification, will ensure faster settlement of refund applications and provide timely relief to traders.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that all pending, undisputed, and genuine refund applications are processed strictly in line with the rules and completed on priority. She emphasized that timely refunds would provide traders with sufficient liquidity, reduce litigation costs, and collectively boost Delhi’s economic growth.
Gupta reiterated that strengthening the Ease of Doing Business for traders remains a top priority for her government. She assured that her administration understands the needs and challenges of the trading community and is making concrete and effective efforts to safeguard and promote their interests.
As part of these efforts, the government has also established a Traders’ Welfare Board, which includes direct representation from Delhi’s traders to ensure that their concerns are addressed effectively. (ANI)