Diwali gift for traders: Delhi govt disburses Rs 694 crore GST refunds; backlog since 2019 cleared

Traders in Delhi are set for a brighter Diwali as the city government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has disbursed Rs 694 crore in GST refunds pending since 2019, out of a total due of Rs 1,600 crore, PTI reported.The refund process has accelerated in recent months, with a record Rs 227 crore paid in September alone—the highest monthly figure in the city’s GST history, Gupta said on Friday. “Promoting ease of doing business is our commitment,” she added.Officials noted that traders in the national capital are benefiting not only from lower GST rates but also from timely refunds, boosting their financial liquidity ahead of the festive season. “Delhi government is committed to ensuring that every trader, big or small, receives their GST refund within the stipulated time frame,” Gupta said.Since the start of this financial year, the Trade and Taxes department has resolved 7,375 refund applications, transferring Rs 694 crore directly to traders’ bank accounts. The chief minister praised the department for using modern technology, including an advanced IT module developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, that leverages data analytics, automation, and rapid verification to expedite refunds.Gupta highlighted that the previous government had not treated the GST refund backlog with urgency, creating a significant delay. “Our effort is to ensure that by Diwali, substantial refund amounts reach the business community, strengthening their faith in the government and making their festive celebrations even more joyous,” she said.The Delhi government, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, is also promoting policies to ease business operations, including redevelopment plans for major city markets and the formation of the Delhi Vyapari Kalyan Board to address traders’ concerns, she added.