National Traders' Welfare Board backs wider ONDC adoption among small traders

National Traders' Welfare Board Chairperson Sunil J. Singhi on Sunday called for greater participation of small traders in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), saying the government-backed platform could help them integrate more effectively with India's expanding digital economy. ANISpeaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Utkarsh 2026 Business Summit in Odisha, Singhi said the Board was also working to strengthen grievance redressal for traders and had proposed setting up a state-level Traders' Welfare Board in Odisha."We have also appealed for the meaning and benefits of ONDC and to be connected with it," Singhi said, referring to efforts to encourage small businesses to join the digital commerce network.He said the National Traders' Welfare Board has been holding regular virtual interactions with traders across the country to address their concerns."Through the National Traders Welfare Board... on every Monday... the smallest traders, to solve their problems...

can connect to the VC link," he said.Singhi said he had discussed with Odisha Chief Minister the proposal to constitute a state-level Traders' Welfare Board to strengthen institutional support for the trading community."I have also talked to the Chief Minister of Odisha about making a state board here. And a district committee will be formed, through which every month there will be such a meeting under the Collector, through which there will be convenience and stability in business," he said.

According to Singhi, the National Traders' Welfare Board was constituted by the Government of India to address issues faced by traders, including regulatory compliance and other business-related concerns.He also referred to recent government measures aimed at supporting the MSME sector, including revisions to the MSME classification and enhancement of the credit guarantee limit."The definition of MSME has been changed, the credit limit has been changed from 5 crores to 10 crores," Singhi said while outlining initiatives aimed at supporting traders and small businesses.