Pune: The Maharashtra chapter of India Industry Trade Security Forum has sought setting up of a traders’ welfare commission in the state to hear their issues.“There are lakhs of unorganised artisans, vendors and retailers that do not have access to legal recourse whenever any regulatory action is taken against them. Neither do they have a unified voice when it comes to raising demands of infrastructure in case of open markets,” Nitin Agarwal, state president of the association, said.There are around 30,000 members of the association in Maharashtra. Craftsmen such as tailors, carpenters, plumbers and jewellers are part of the association. Agarwal said similar efforts are being made by other state chapters of the all-India association.Agarwal pointed out issues that regularly affect small traders. “Returns on goods and services tax (GST) are often delayed, leading to financial crunch for small retailers. In addition, they are not able to afford legal costs of contesting the fines levied under the GST regime. Similarly, they face problems of theft in major commercial markets such as Laxmi road and market yard. There has to be camera surveillance systems in all such places linked to police control rooms, for regular monitoring.”Agarwal urged govt to set up a single-window grievance redressal system for complaints related to licences, local civic bodies, electricity, taxation, police, fire services and other departments. “They should be addressed through a single platform within a stipulated time frame,” he added.The association said the govt should consider the demands and formulate a long-term policy for the welfare of traders and establish a mechanism for dialogue between the govt and trade organisations. It has also sought regular stakeholder meetings with the administration so that their views are included in the policy-making process.
