Jalandhar News: Traders in Jalandhar’s Phagwara Gate market shut down shops in protest after a sudden GST raid on a mobile store triggered anger across the trading community.
Responding to the incident, Aam Aadmi Party’s Jalandhar Central in-charge and industrialist Nitin Kohli, who is currently abroad, expressed solidarity with the traders and issued a strong statement.
“I am currently out of the country, which is why I could not assist traders during the raid. However, upon returning to India, I will personally meet the affected traders and GST officials to hear both sides and work towards a practical and fair resolution,” Kohli said.
He assured that the AAP government stands firmly with traders and small shopkeepers. “As an industrialist myself, I understand the concerns of the trading community. The AAP government has already implemented several trader-friendly policies benefiting everyone from small vendors to large retailers,” he said.
Kohli also stated that he would meet the minister in charge of GST to find a concrete solution. “Our government will not allow any injustice. I will ensure fair proceedings and will help implement solutions that promote business,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts, Kohli said that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, the AAP government has ended the ‘inspector raj’ and has been bringing policies to ease doing business in the state. “From street vendors to large traders, we are committed to protecting the interests of every stakeholder,” he added.
In June 2025, the Mann government passed a major amendment to the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, reducing compliance burdens for 95% of small businesses, making it easier to operate in the state.
During a press briefing after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said that the step would end the long-standing ‘inspector raj’ and provide relief to small traders.
Commenting on the decision, Nitin Kohli had earlier said, “This was a long-pending demand of our small traders. Previously, inspectors would harass traders daily, demanding documents. Now, inspectors can only visit a shop once in six months, or traders can meet officials at their offices themselves.”
