Srinagar, Nov 13: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday held a national-level traders’ meeting in New Delhi, bringing together representatives from across the country to deliberate on key challenges confronting the trading community and discuss recommendations for the government.
Representing Jammu and Kashmir, CAIT Kashmir Chapter President Farhan Kitab called for a comprehensive Trade Revival Package for the Union Territory, citing prolonged economic disruptions, business closures, declining purchasing power, liquidity constraints and mounting financial liabilities faced by traders.
He urged the Government of India and the J&K Government to introduce targeted financial measures to help businesses recover from the sustained economic challenges.
Kitab sought interest subvention, affordable working capital, loan restructuring and One-Time Settlement (OTS) facilities, relief in legacy liabilities and enhanced credit support for struggling retailers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He said repeated disruptions had severely eroded the capital base of Kashmir’s trading community, making it difficult for businesses to sustain operations, meet financial obligations and retain employment.
The national meeting also deliberated on a range of issues concerning the trading sector, including GST reforms, licensing procedures, cyber security, women’s entrepreneurship and regulatory simplification.
On GST, the participants called for simplified compliance procedures, faster refunds, protection of genuine buyers and an end to unnecessary harassment of traders.
The meeting also discussed the proposal for a ‘One Trader, One Licence’ system through a unified digital licensing mechanism to reduce multiple registrations and administrative hurdles.
Issues relating to protests and agitations, particularly the protection of commercial establishments and traders’ livelihoods while safeguarding democratic rights, were also deliberated upon.
The participants stressed the need for a nationwide Cyber Safe Trader Campaign to protect businesses against digital fraud, online scams and other cyber threats.
The meeting further emphasised improving access to finance, technology, digital skills and market opportunities for women entrepreneurs, besides withdrawing obsolete laws and simplifying business regulations.
Kitab said Kashmir’s trading community required targeted financial intervention rather than routine policy announcements, adding that a dedicated revival package was essential to restore business confidence, safeguard employment and accelerate economic recovery.
He said CAIT Kashmir Chapter would continue to raise the concerns of traders at national and government platforms and work towards creating a sustainable and conducive business environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Kashmir’s traders have endured extraordinary economic challenges with resilience. They now deserve meaningful policy support and a structured revival package to rebuild their businesses and contribute more effectively to the region’s economy,” he said.
