**Executive Summary**
The 9th Meeting of the National Traders’ Welfare Board (NTWB), held on April 10, 2026, in New Delhi, focused on enhancing the ease of doing business through legislative reforms and digital initiatives. Key highlights include the decriminalization of 717 provisions under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the expansion of the "DigiDukaan" digital platform. The meeting emphasized the ongoing establishment of state-level welfare boards and the provision of collateral-free loans to empower small businesses.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Legislative Reforms**
* **Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2026:** This bill amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, including the decriminalization of 717 provisions, to significantly reduce the compliance burden on businesses.
* **FSSAI Simplification:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has simplified licensing and registration processes, specifically benefiting small-scale food traders.
* **Financial and Trade Initiatives**
* **Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, 2025:** Offers e-commerce support through a 75% reimbursement of platform fees (excluding shipping), capped at ₹50,000 per year for one year.
* **Collateral-Free Loans:** Udyam Registration and the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana are being leveraged to facilitate loans without collateral for traders and small businesses.
* **Digital Empowerment**
* **DigiDukaan Platform:** An ONDC-led B2B platform currently operational in Hyderabad. Plans are underway to expand this service to Jaipur and Bengaluru to improve the market access and digital capabilities of kirana stores and small retailers.
* **Institutional Framework**
* **State-Level Traders’ Welfare Boards:** While West Bengal has already constituted a board, efforts are actively ongoing to establish similar boards in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
* **Grievance Redressal:** The NTWB maintains continuous coordination with various ministries to ensure the time-bound resolution of representations received from trade bodies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Small Traders and Kirana Stores**
* **Impact:** They benefit from a reduced risk of criminal penalties due to legislative amendments and gain improved access to credit and digital sales channels.
* **Action Required:** Utilize Udyam Registration and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana for financing, and adopt the DigiDukaan platform for digital expansion.
**State Governments and UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** There is a reinforced requirement for localized administrative bodies to address the specific welfare needs of traders.
* **Action Required:** States including Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and others must finalize the constitution of State Traders’ Welfare Boards.
**E-commerce Businesses in Rajasthan**
* **Impact:** Direct financial relief for digital operations through fee reimbursements.
* **Action Required:** Eligible traders must apply for reimbursements under the Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, 2025.
**Food Business Operators**
* **Impact:** Lowered administrative hurdles when applying for or renewing essential operating licenses.
* **Action Required:** Comply with the simplified FSSAI registration and licensing protocols.
Key Entities Referenced
National Traders’ Welfare Board (NTWB): An advisory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry focused on the welfare of traders and improving the ease of doing business.
Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Legislation aimed at decriminalizing hundreds of provisions across 79 Central Acts to reduce compliance burdens for businesses.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: A government initiative facilitating collateral-free loans to traders and small businesses to promote entrepreneurship and expansion.
Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, 2025: A state-level policy providing financial reimbursement of e-commerce platform fees to support small traders' digital transition.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The regulatory body that has simplified licensing and registration processes to facilitate easier compliance for food business operators.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
9th Meeting of National Traders’ Welfare Board
Held in New Delhi
NTWB Chairperson welcomes Jan Vishwas Amendment, says
it will promote Ease of Doing Business in the country
Posted On: 10 APR 2026 6:02PM by PIB Delhi
The 9th Meeting of the National Traders’ Welfare Board (NTWB) was held at Vanijya Bhawan, New
Delhi, under the chairmanship of Shri Sunil J. Singhi.
The Chairperson welcomed Jan Vishwas Amendment and highlighted several important reforms and
initiatives aimed at enhancing Ease of Doing Business:
Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2026: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026
amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, including decriminalisation of 717 provisions, to
reduce compliance burden and promote ease of doing business.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The licensing and registration process for
food businesses has been simplified, making compliance easier, particularly for small traders.
Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, 2025: E-commerce promotion is being supported through
reimbursement of 75% of platform fees (excluding shipping charges), up to ₹50,000 per year for
one year.
Udyam Registration and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: These initiatives are facilitating collateral-
free loans to traders and small businesses, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and business
expansion.
In the area of digital empowerment, a detailed presentation was made by the ONDC team on
“DigiDukaan”, a B2B platform currently operational in Hyderabad, with plans for expansion to Jaipur and
Bengaluru. The platform is aimed at empowering small retailers and kirana stores by enhancing their
digital capabilities and market access.
It was further highlighted that, through extensive nationwide outreach and coordination with State
Governments, Industry Departments, and trade associations, the need for establishing State-level Traders’
Welfare Boards has been effectively reinforced. A State Traders’ Welfare Board has already been
constituted in West Bengal, while efforts are ongoing in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh,
Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, and other States/UTs.
Through continuous coordination with various Ministries and Departments, the Board is ensuring time-
bound and result-oriented resolution of representations received from traders and trade bodies across the
country. The overarching goal remains to make trade easier, empower traders, and ensure participatory and
inclusive economic development.The meeting was attended by non-official Members representing various trade associations and
States/UTs, along with ex-officio Members from nine Ministries and Departments of the Government of
India.
***
Abhishek Dayal/Shabbir Azad/Anushka Pandey
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