The Belagavi Chamber of Commerce, Belagavi Cloth Merchants’ Association, Pharmacy Association, 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 B Shubha, 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 During the tenure of former Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil and the previous City Commissioner, the requirement was withdrawn for businesses holding a UDYAM certificate.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.
The Commissioner has assured that the City Corporation’s decision will be communicated next week, providing much-needed clarity to the business community in city.
