Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday met with an estimated 2,000 pulses traders from across the Capital and assured them that his government was in favour of extending relative ease of doing business to them if they ‘promised to pay their dues honestly’.
Traders at the helm of various categories of wholesale businesses related to pulses and grains from Naya Bazar, Narela and Lawrence Road were part of the interaction that took place at north Delhi on Friday evening.
According to a senior government official, there were specific demands that the traders brought to the notice of the Chief Minister -- such as the regularisation of warehouses used for the storage of pulses in addition to the quantity of stock which they were authorised to hold at a given time – to which Mr. Kejriwal's response was sought.
“According to the traders, for instance, the current stock limit stood at 2000 quintals which was very less despite the fact that Delhi did not produce its own pulses and was, in fact, reliant on stock from other states which, in their opinion, should either be increased or done away with completely,” said Brijesh Goyal, convenor, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) trade wing, who was part of the proceedings.
Mr. Goyal said that while the Chief Minister promised the traders that the policy in respect to the stock limit was currently under review, in the meantime, they were required to do their bit by ensuring zero hoarding of stock for the convenience of the average Delhi household.
In addition, Mr. Goyal said, Mr. Kejriwal also promised them that the government was in favour of increasing the number of storage and stocking facilities across the Capital as well as working on a policy to regularise many such warehouses.
“The Chief Minister also asked the traders whether they felt any particular form or paperwork related to their business was proving to be a hindrance to which they responded in the affirmative; Mr. Kejriwal then promised to do away with all unnecessary paperwork,” Mr. Goyal added.