Executive Committee Meeting of Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapar Mandal Held 

Lucknow :  An executive committee meeting of the _Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapar Mandal, Lucknow_ was held at Kabir Inn Banquet Hall, Sadar Bazar.

The meeting was presided over by the State President of Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapar Mandal, *Sanjay Gupta*. Office bearers from all major markets of the capital and members of the executive committee were present.

Key Issues Raised
Traders and organization officials highlighted the current problems faced by the business community. Major points discussed included:
Adverse impact of e-commerce and quick commerce on retail trade
Temporary encroachments in markets
Payment of *water tax even without connection
High land use conversion charges
Increase in license fees by the Municipal Corporation for various businesses
Difficulties in doing business on the GeM portal
Demand for *priority to Lucknow traders in government procurement

Addressing the meeting, State President *Sanjay Gupta* said the Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapar Mandal will make every possible effort to protect and grow retail sector businesses. He warned that if immediate steps are not taken to save retail traders across the country and the state, their condition will deteriorate severely.

Key Decisions & Action Plan
To resolve traders' issues, the committee approved the following action plan:
"Regional Traders Conferences" to be organized in all markets of the capital
In the first phase, a memorandum to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister through MLAs, MPs and the District Magistrate demanding an E-commerce Policy and Retail Trade Policy
Meetings with local MLAs and department officials to resolve market-specific problems
Traders Awareness Vehicle Rally
Torch processions, foot marches and awareness marches in markets
Membership drive to strengthen the organization and enroll more traders
Opening of organization offices in major markets
Loan camps with banks to financially empower traders with capital
Yoga camps and free medical camps to promote trader health and wellness
Expansion of district, city and market committees
"Traders Conference" and oath-taking ceremony of Lucknow committee office bearers on 24th August in the capital
"Traders Rally" in September with 5,000 traders expected to participate

Prominent Attendees
State Treasurer Mohd. Afzal, Senior Vice President Avinash Tripathi, State General Secretary Shashikant Sharma, Vice Presidents Gurpreet Singh Chadha, Asif Kidwai, Iqbal Hasan, Pramod Sharma, State Minister Sandeep Singh Gaur, Trans Gomti In-charge Manish Pandey, Trans Gomti President Aniruddh Nigam, City General Secretaries Rajiv Shukla and Ashish Gupta, Sadar Adarsh Vyapar Mandal President Akhil Grover, Bhootnath Market Chairman Kamal Agarwal, President Manoj Agarwal, Bhootnath In-charge Dinesh Sharma, along with presidents, general secretaries and other office bearers from various markets.