Diwali gift for traders: Delhi government pays out Rs 694 crore GST refunds; backlog cleared since 2019 – The Times of India

Traders in Delhi are ready for a better Diwali as the city government, led by Prime Minister Rekha Gupta, has paid out Rs 694 crore in GST refunds pending since 2019, out of a total amount 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 amount 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 will not only benefit from lower GST rates but also timely refunds, thereby increasing their financial liquidity ahead of the festive season. “The Delhi government wants to ensure that every trader, big or small, receives their GST refund within the stipulated time frame,” said Gupta.Since the beginning of this fiscal, the Commerce and Taxation department has cleared 7,375 refund claims, with Rs 694 crore transferred directly to traders’ bank accounts. The Chief Minister commended the department for using modern technology, including an advanced IT module developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, which uses data analytics, automation and quick verification to expedite refunds.Gupta highlighted that the previous government had not dealt with the VAT refund backlog expeditiously, causing a significant delay. “Our effort is to ensure that substantial refunds reach the business community this Diwali, thereby strengthening their confidence in the government and making their festive celebrations even more joyful,” 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 setting up the Delhi Vyapari Kalyan Board to address traders’ concerns, they added.