Increased licensing fees affecting small traders: BJP

New Delhi, July 11

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has urged Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwani Kumar and Mayor Shelly Oberoi to immediately roll back the significant hike in the licensing fees for various business categories, implemented in April 2023.

Kapoor highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) raised the fees by 20 to 150 percent after coming to power, impacting a wide range of small businesses. “After coming to power last year, the Aam Aadmi Party imposed new licensing fees, resulting in a significant increase for paan-tobacco shops, general stores, confectioneries, small and large caterers, barbers, drycleaners, guest houses, auditoriums, and hotels,” said Kapoor.

Despite assurances from Oberoi to reconsider the increased fees following protests from tradre organisations and the Delhi BJP, no reductions have been made even after a full year. Kapoor noted that many small traders are now hesitant to renew or obtain new licenses due to the high fees.

“The increase in licensing fees across various categories is so substantial that small traders are now afraid to renew their municipal licenses or obtain new ones,” Kapoor emphasized. “Many traders did not renew their licenses last year, hoping that the Mayor would reduce the fees soon. However, with the new financial year beginning, there has been no reduction, and they are now troubled by penalty fines.”