Traders Face Hurdles Amid MCD's Delay in License System Integration

Traders in Delhi are troubled by delays in integrating the general trade license with the property tax system, mandated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi by April 30, 2026. The uncertainty forces them to renew licenses under the old system, increasing financial pressures and compliance confusion.

Traders in the national capital are expressing significant concerns about the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) delays in integrating the general trade license (GTL) with the property tax system, despite a looming April 30, 2026, deadline. This integration was approved in December last year to streamline the fee structure.

Nitin Gupta, the president of Kamla Nagar Market Association, highlighted the frustrations resulting from unimplemented changes. ''Traders have no choice but to adhere to the outdated process to avoid penalties,'' he stated. Under the new system, the license fee would have been significantly lower, calculated as 15 percent of the property's annual tax, a notable reduction from the current separate license fee system.

Meanwhile, MCD officials acknowledged procedural hiccups causing the delay. Assigning responsibility for the fee payment between business owners and property owners has been problematic. However, solutions are being expedited, and the new system is expected to be operational soon, offering traders a streamlined, less cumbersome compliance process.