In a big festive relief for Delhi's business community, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday announced that the government will release Rs 1600 crore worth of pending GST refunds, some of which have been stuck since 2019. The refunds will be disbursed to traders ahead of Diwali 2025, ensuring greater liquidity and business confidence during the festive season.
The announcement was made during a special meeting of the Department of Trade and Taxes (GST) at the Chief Minister's Civil Lines office, attended by GST commissioner Nandini Paliwal, finance secretary Shurveer Singh, and other senior officials.
Gupta criticized the previous AAP-led government for not taking adequate measures to resolve the backlog and directed that all refunds be released on priority before the festival. To streamline the process, she revealed that the Delhi GST department, in collaboration with IIT-Hyderabad, has developed an advanced IT module. Powered by data analytics, automation and expedited verification, the system promises quicker and more transparent settlement of refund applications.
She further instructed officials to ensure that all pending, genuine, and undisputed refund claims are cleared in strict compliance with the rules. According to Gupta, timely disbursements will not only ease cash flow for traders but also reduce litigation costs and accelerate Delhi's economic growth.
Reinforcing her government's commitment to improving the ease of doing business, Gupta said the administration is working actively to protect and promote trader interests. As part of this effort, a Traders' Welfare Board has been established, with representation from Delhi's trading community to ensure their issues are addressed effectively.
With this move, the Delhi government hopes to bring festive cheer to the city's six lakh-plus traders, while boosting economic activity during the crucial festive quarter.
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