Demand for Traders’ Welfare Commission and Social Security Scheme in Maharashtra
All India Industry Trade Security Forum State President Nitin Agrawal urges Maharashtra Government to take measures for traders’ welfare
Pune: Traders and the business community form the backbone of the state’s economy, making significant contributions to government revenue through direct and indirect taxes while generating employment for millions. Ensuring the safety, dignity and social security of traders requires the Maharashtra Government to formulate dedicated policies and ensure their effective implementation, said Nitin Agrawal, State President of the All India Industry Trade Security Forum, Maharashtra, at a press conference.
Agrawal demanded the establishment of a Traders’ Welfare Commission in Maharashtra. He said Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and Maharashtra is among India’s leading commercial and industrial states. Since separate commissions have been established for various sections of society, a dedicated commission should also be constituted to address the problems, rights and welfare-related issues of traders and facilitate direct dialogue between the government and the trading community.
He said the government should develop a comprehensive social security system for traders who regularly pay taxes and contribute to strengthening the state and national economy. The system should include health protection, accident assistance, pension and other essential social security schemes, particularly for small and medium-sized traders.
Agrawal also called for the creation of a ‘Traders’ Security and Disaster Relief Fund’. Under a defined mechanism, financial assistance should be provided to traders whose shops, warehouses or commercial properties suffer damage due to fire, floods, earthquakes, riots or other natural and unforeseen disasters.
He further demanded CCTV surveillance systems in all major commercial markets, with the cameras linked to police control rooms. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the surveillance network should also be ensured to help prevent theft, robbery, arson and other criminal incidents.
For the speedy resolution of traders’ grievances, Agrawal called for a ‘Single Window Grievance Redressal System’. Complaints related to licences, local civic bodies, electricity, taxation, police, fire services and other departments should be addressed through a single platform within a stipulated time frame.
He also stressed the need for prior consultation with trader associations and industry representatives while framing new policies, tax regulations or rules related to trade and industry. Such consultation, he said, would help incorporate ground-level challenges and practical concerns into policymaking.
Agrawal further called for regular state-level dialogue meetings between the government and trade organisations to discuss traders’ problems, suggestions and pending demands, along with periodic reviews of action taken on these issues.
He also demanded that traders who contribute significantly through tax payments be honoured at the district and state levels on Independence Day and Republic Day.
“Traders are not merely taxpayers but important partners in employment generation, economic development and social progress. Therefore, their safety, dignity and social security must be made a priority of the government,” Agrawal said.
The All India Industry Trade Security Forum urged the Maharashtra Government to seriously consider these demands, formulate a concrete and long-term policy for the welfare of traders, and establish a strong and regular mechanism for dialogue between the government and trade organisations.