Laws hampering retail trade will be done away with: Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked retail traders to give a list of laws which are hampering their functioning so that these can be done away with even as he raised concern about falling tax collections this year despite several measures by the government for their benefit.
He also asked the retail traders to suggest changes that can help ease doing business in the national capital.
"I have been told that traders have to deal with 36 departments while doing business. You suggest which departments and laws are hampering trade, the government will do away with them," he said, citing changes in permitting big events in Delhi.

"Earlier (to organise) one event 27 permissions were required. Now permission can be taken online in just 20 minutes while it took four months previously." Kejriwal said while addressing retail traders here.
Terming retail traders as the backbone of the economy, Kejriwal said his government has simplified VAT and is still working on it.
"But despite this the tax collection has been low. I assure you that the government will not allow your money to get stolen and will be put to use for welfare and development work," he said.

Incidentally, the AAP, during the assembly polls had claimed that the tax collection during its 49-day rule had risen due to its policies, but declined after Delhi came under the rule of Lt Governor.

"We have ended raids. While there were 150 raids every month earlier now no raids are conducted. I have told officials to conduct raids when there is information of tax evasion."
While opposing forward trading, Kejriwal claimed that it was the "biggest" reason for price rise, adding that it has also harmed the retail traders in the country.
"Our government also did not allow FDI in retail sector in the interest of the small traders," he said.
Kejriwal said his government is also working on a policy for warehouses in Delhi and that the national capital will be developed as a trading hub for which plans are afoot.