The Ministry of Commerce & Industry held the 11th meeting of the National Traders’ Welfare Board (NTWB) in New Delhi to review government measures aimed at supporting traders, retailers, manufacturers and exporters. The board examined challenges in taxation, access to finance, digital tools and state coordination that affect India’s trading community.
Key facts
- Meeting held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, in hybrid format
- Chairman: Shri Sunil J. Singhi
- Board reviewed GST rationalisation, refund delays, audits and amnesty schemes
- Discussed centralised loan portal with 30-day processing timelines
- ONDC’s DigiDukaan platform now has over 19,000 retailers live in Hyderabad and Jaipur
- State Traders’ Welfare Boards established in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Written confirmations received from Goa and Telangana for setting up boards
- Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 proposed to take effect from 1 January 2027
- 100 consecutive virtual conferences held to strengthen Centre-State engagement
GST and tax compliance issues
The board discussed several persistent problems affecting traders under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. These included delays in processing refunds, lengthy audit procedures, and complicated tax credit anomalies. Members also raised concerns about the backlog of pending appeals and the need for clearer amnesty schemes to help traders resolve compliance issues. The discussion centred on simplifying GST processes to reduce the administrative burden on small and medium traders.
Access to credit and MSME support
A major focus was improving how traders access loans and government support. The board proposed creating a centralised loan portal with a fixed 30-day processing timeline to reduce delays. Members suggested including traders in MSME facilitation committees at the state and district level to ensure their voices are heard in policy decisions. The board also discussed reforms to CIBIL credit scoring mechanisms, which currently disadvantage many small traders and retailers. Another proposal involved establishing dedicated grievance helplines where traders can report issues related to loans and financing.
Digital expansion and online platforms
The board reviewed progress on two key digital initiatives. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and DigiDukaan, a platform helping small kirana retailers digitise their procurement, were highlighted as success stories. DigiDukaan currently enables over 19,000 retailers across Hyderabad and Jaipur to place orders through a single digital interface, simplifying supply chain management. The board decided to expand both platforms to the district level. Additionally, members discussed Women Entrepreneurship Facilitation Desks under NITI Aayog and the need to strengthen cyber fraud redressal mechanisms to protect traders operating online.
Government compliance reforms
The board praised the Jan Vishwas Act, which the government has used to streamline 40,000 different business compliance requirements. This act removes unnecessary regulatory barriers while maintaining oversight. The Chairman noted that this reform is central to the Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda. The board also discussed the establishment of District Facilitation Centres to provide local support to traders and manufacturing units.
State coordination and trader welfare
The board stressed the importance of coordination between the central government and state governments in supporting traders. State Traders’ Welfare Boards have been formally established in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with written confirmations from Goa and Telangana. The board noted that 100 consecutive virtual conferences have helped improve dialogue between centre and state authorities. Members also discussed safeguards against technical penalties for government contractors, relaxation in loan repayment during lean business seasons, and timely payment of dues to traders.
Export promotion and international trade
The board emphasised increasing India’s export participation by traders and MSMEs. This included raising awareness about export opportunities, strengthening institutional support, and negotiations with trading partners. Discussions covered India-UK CETA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations, reflecting India’s push to expand international market access for exporters.
What this means for you
Small traders and retailers can expect faster loan processing through the proposed centralised portal and better access to state-level support through Traders’ Welfare Boards. Women entrepreneurs will find dedicated facilitation desks, while digital traders get stronger cyber fraud protection. The Jan Vishwas Act means less paperwork and fewer compliance obstacles for businesses. Kirana stores can digitise their supply chains through DigiDukaan, reducing costs. However, GST refund and audit delays remain a work in progress.
What happens next
The board will establish thematic committees and focused working groups to examine sector-specific issues and recommend policy changes. The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 is scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2027. The government plans to continue expanding ONDC and DigiDukaan platforms to district levels and strengthen Centre-State coordination through continued virtual conferences.