Day One of Registration: No turnout at GST helpdesks set up to assist traders

“It is a Sunday followed by Eid — another holiday. Moreover, it is raining heavily. These could be the reasons behind the low turnout,” he said. Officials are expecting the footfall to rise Tuesday onwards. Sale Tax Commissioner Rajeev Jalota, too, agreed. “Once the footfall grows after Tuesday, we expect to get a clear picture on which areas need more assistance and we will increase the number of kiosks,” said Jalota, adding that the window will be open for a 30-day period.

“There is time for people to register. We have urged traders to avoid an early rush,” he said. The registrations have opened amid ambiguity over the textile merchants’ reaction to GST. Two weeks ago, textile traders had staged a nationwide strike for being brought under the GST net. The small and medium fabric traders were exempt from paying duty but now a five per cent rate has been levied much to the disappointment of the traders. Hasmukh Shah, a fabric trader from Crawford Market, said a strike had been called on Tuesday.

“We are not against GST. However, we want exemption from the five percent slab,” said Shah, adding that most traders will register post the strike. The transition to GST has also left many traders in confusion. Mukesh Ganeshmal Sanghvi, vice-president of the Maharashtra State Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Federation, said awareness about the registration process was low.

“There are many traders who are not aware about the reopening of the registration desks. Several messages explaining GST are doing the rounds on social media platforms but there is no clarity on the tax itself and how it affects us,” said Sanghvi, adding that the government must provide hand-holding support to traders for making the transition. Around 165 helpdesks have been set up across the state.

The numbers could increase depending on the response. The trained officials will help traders generate a temporary registration number (TRN) valid for 15 days during which the trader has to fill the forms online and upload documents. Only upon completion of all the forms within the stipulated time will lead to successful registration. If not completed within 15 days, the TRN will lapse and the trader will not be able to register the PAN card number again.