Keeping the forthcoming Union Budget in view, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has submitted comprehensive and forward-looking suggestions to Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on behalf of the trading community across the country.

CAIT National General Secretary and Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk, Shri Praveen Khandelwal, said that in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a strong, transparent and self-reliant India, CAIT has put forward suggestions aimed at providing traders with dignity, simplicity, security and equal opportunities.

Shri Khandelwal stated that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, initiatives such as Ease of Doing Business, Vocal for Local, Local for Global, Digital India, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat have given a new direction to the country’s trading environment. He said the need of the hour is to further strengthen these initiatives in the upcoming Budget.

He explained that the key suggestions submitted by CAIT include, under a trust-based business system, the introduction of a Single Window Compliance System for small traders, putting a check on unnecessary notices and inspections, and expediting the decriminalisation of business laws. To promote participatory governance, CAIT has also suggested the *formation of joint committees of officials and traders at the district level*, so that trade-related issues can be resolved locally.

CAIT has further urged the implementation of the One Nation–One License–One Registration concept, issuance of all trade-related licenses through a single digital platform, and provision for auto-renewal.

Taking forward Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision, CAIT has recommended a Technology Adoption Incentive Scheme to modernise traditional trade, along with subsidies and tax incentives on tools that enable digitisation of business, and the launch of a Digital Dukaan Mission.

Shri Khandelwal said that immediate control is required over heavy discounting, predatory pricing and unfair competition arising from foreign-funded e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms. For this, CAIT has suggested mandatory registration of every e-commerce and quick-commerce company with the Ministry of Commerce,* uniform rules, strict monitoring and implementation of a *Fair Trade Code* to safeguard the interests of small retailers.

CAIT has also demanded incentives for honest taxpayers, including a *Taxpayer Rating System*, reduced scrutiny, fast-track refunds and access to affordable credit.

He emphasised that the principle of “*Trade is also a skill”* should be adopted, and called for the launch of a *National Traders Skill Development Program* for traders and their employees, covering digital skills, accounting, cyber security and customer management.

CAIT has urged strengthening pension and insurance security for small traders, making the *traders’ pension scheme* more practical, and further reinforcing schemes such as PMJJBY, PMSBY and PM-SYM.

Expressing concern over the rapidly rising cyber crimes, Shri Khandelwal said that measures such as a *Cyber Fraud Protection Fund,* a quick compensation mechanism, stringent data protection laws, and restrictions on data misuse by banking and digital platforms are extremely necessary to protect traders.

In addition, CAIT has suggested launching the *“Har Vyapari Tak Sarkari Yojana”* campaign to spread awareness of government schemes through trade bodies, along with easy-to-understand guidebooks, apps and helplines.

CAIT has also recommended a *Dedicated Trade Finance Policy* for MSMEs and small traders, strict laws to ensure timely payments, modernisation of markets, and development of warehouses, cold storage facilities, logistics parks and smart markets.

Innovative proposals include the creation of a *National Traders Data Bank, introduction of a Green Trade Incentive Scheme, and establishment of a Trade Ombudsman* for speedy resolution of trade disputes.

Concluding his statement, Shri Khandelwal said, “The trading community is the backbone of the nation’s economy. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, if traders are provided dignity, security, simplicity and equal opportunities, nothing can stop India from becoming a $5 trillion economy and achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.”