Traders from across the Capital staged a protest near Ghanta Ghar in Chandni Chowk on Wednesday, demanded withdrawal of enforcement of Form T-2, scheduled to be implemented from March 15 by the VAT Department.
Terming the policies of the VAT Department “unfriendly” and the regular introduction of new notifications by it as a hurdle, the traders urged Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung to intervene.
“In the absence of any elected Government in Delhi, the bureaucracy has become autocratic. Though there is a VAT Advisory Committee, the Department does not think it proper to consult it before notifying any policy decision. If the Committee has no role, then it is better to dissolve it,” said Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) secretary general Praveen Khandelwal.
“The Delhi traders are conducting business in adverse circumstances, but even then they are contributing majorly in terms of revenue towards the government. But instead of appreciating their role, the Department is always trying to shackle them in the vicious net of tax and other laws,” he added.
As per the new notification, all traders will have to provide online information to the Department through Form T-2 about all goods before they enter Delhi.
Stating that the new rules demand keeping records of account books for seven years in the shop, liability of the purchasing dealer to verify credentials of the selling dealer and penalty and even imprisonment in case of non-compliance, the traders claimed “it would affect overall business scenario and trade will be transferred to neighbouring States”. While traders have threatened to go on a strike if the issues are not resolved, Mr. Khandelwal said VAT Commissioner Prashant Goyal will convene a meeting of Delhi trade leaders on March 14.
