The Belagavi Chamber of Commerce, Belagavi Cloth Merchants Association, Phramcy Asoo, Hotel Association and other associations have raised concerns regarding the necessity of obtaining a trade license from the City Corporation for establishments that already possess a UDYAM certificate. In a recent meeting with City Commissioner Shubha B., the chamber highlighted that an amendment to the law in 2020 exempts UDYAM certificate holders from requiring a separate trade license.
The 2020 amendment to the law states that businesses with a valid UDYAM certificate are not required to obtain a trade license from the City Corporation. The Chamber of Commerce has promised to submit a copy of this amendment to the commissioner’s office. Commissioner Shubha acknowledged the amendment but emphasized that a final decision would be made only after reviewing the document, which could take four to five days.
Currently, the City Corporation mandates a trade license for all businesses, including those with a UDYAM certificate. This stance has sparked concerns among business owners. The commissioner assured that a concrete resolution is expected next week.
The trade license compulsion has been a contentious issue in the past. During the tenure of former Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil and the previous City Commissioner, the requirement was withdrawn for businesses holding a UDYAM certificate. The Belagavi Chamber of Commerce reiterated this precedent and urged the current administration to uphold the exemption.
In addition to UDYAM-certified businesses, certain sectors, such as pharmaceutical establishments, are already exempt from trade license requirements. The Chamber has requested a clear directive to avoid ambiguity for businesses.
During the meeting, the chamber members were also informed about waste classification protocols, highlighting the City Corporation’s efforts to engage businesses in sustainable practices.
The commissioner has assured that the City Corporation’s decision will be communicated next week, providing much-needed clarity to the business community in Belagavi.