Pankaj Jain, New Delhi, Jan 30 (.) As the union Finance Minister is set to present the annual budget for 2026-27, two important trade bodies of the national capital, Delhi – Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) and New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) have asked for measures to support the MSME sector and the trader community by enhancing the consumer spending power.
CTI, a chamber for MSME sector, has specifically asked for measures that can boost the morale of the nearly seven crore MSMEs in the country.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has written a detailed letter to the Finance Minister, outlining key expectations and recommendations from the trading community.
Highlighting the challenges faced by MSMEs amid rising global tariffs and geopolitical tensions, Goyal demanded easy access to low-interest loans for small businesses. He also called for increasing the investment limit under the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore to help MSMEs adopt modern and eco-friendly technologies, noting that technology costs have risen sharply.
CTI further sought enhancement of loan limits under the Prime Minister Mudra Yojana across all categories, including Shishu, Kishore, Tarun and Tarun Plus, to support manufacturing, trading and service sector activities.
Among other key demands, CTI proposed raising the mandatory income tax audit limit from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore and introducing old-age benefits for senior taxpayers based on their past tax contributions, including pension and social security support.
Expressing concern over higher borrowing costs for small traders, Goyal said while big corporates receive bank loans at lower interest rates, micro, small and medium entrepreneurs pay significantly more under Mudra loans.
CTI also demanded that traders who have already paid GST dues, interest and penalties be included under the new GST amnesty scheme.
It called for the formation of a Trade and Industry Development Board at the national level to address issues faced by traders and entrepreneurs.
The traders’ body also urged the Centre to announce a separate Rs 1,000 crore fund for redevelopment of Delhi’s markets and industrial areas, and to implement the One Nation-One License-One Registration framework with a single digital platform and auto-renewal of business licences.
CTI proposed launching a National Traders Skill Development Programme covering digital skills, accounting, cyber security and customer management for traders and their employees.
Raising the issue of fuel prices, CTI noted that petrol and diesel rates have not been reduced since April 6, 2022, despite a 35 to 40 per cent fall in crude oil prices. It urged the government to bring petroleum products under GST or direct oil companies to cut retail prices.
Meanwhile, NDTA, Delhi’s oldest registered trade body since 1935, has urged the union Finance Minister to incorporate key reforms in the union Budget 2026 to simplify rules with fewer compliance requirements, faster tax refunds, and an extended window for tax deposits.
NDTA Joint Secretary Amit Gupta also sought rationalisation of income tax slabs and deductions to enhance disposable income and boost consumer spending.
Emphasising genuine ease of doing business, the body recommended trader-friendly policies and proposed a single, flat GST rate across all items to reduce complexity and strengthen trade confidence.
. PKJ KK