Traders call for simpler GST, curbs on foreign e-commerce

The Haryana Udhyog Vyapar Hit Mandal held a meeting in Sirsa on Monday for discussing problems faced by traders and demand reforms in India’s goods and services tax (GST) system. The meeting was chaired by state president Anil Bhatia.

Traders said the tax burden on small businesses had increased and GST compliance remained difficult. The group submitted a list of demands to Sunil Singhi, chairman of the National Traders’ Welfare Board.

At the meeting, Bhatia said foreign online trading companies were expanding their control in India, just like the East India Company. He said this was hurting the Indian traders and forcing many to work for low wages.

According to Bhatia, the effect of the old value added tax (VAT) system had not fully ended even after GST was introduced in 2017. He thanked the government for reducing some GST rates, but said compliance remained complex.