Chennai traders can delay license fees for three years

Starting March 19, traders in Chennai can pay their trade license fees for one year, two years, or three years, as they prefer. This change is due to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) relaxing the rules for local businesses. Traders have expressed difficulty in paying the fees for three years at once. Many say the rates are too high. Previously, local bodies began collecting the three-year fees under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act. As of now, about 55,000 traders have not paid their fees. Out of approximately 65,000 traders in the GCC’s 15 zones, fewer than 10,000 have made payments over the last two months. The GCC expects to renew the licenses for those 55,000 traders before the end of March. The situation is tough for many. Reports indicate that over 20% of grocers and various other traders have closed their businesses due to these challenging conditions.