Business community seeks relief as July 24 deadline clashes with poll duties; Demand raised to extend filing date to August 24
Almora, Uttarakhand – The ongoing three-tier panchayat elections in Uttarakhand have created a unique challenge for the business community, as the deadline for filing GST returns—set for July 24, 2025—coincides with the first phase of polling. The second phase is scheduled for July 28.
A large number of traders, contractors, and entrepreneurs are actively participating in the electoral process, with many contesting as candidates or engaged in campaigning and related activities. In the midst of this political engagement, the July 24 deadline for GST return filing has become a serious concern, especially for small and medium businesses.
Recognizing this challenge, Advocate Vaibhav Pandey has urged both the state and central governments to extend the GST return filing deadline by one month, to August 24, 2025. He argues that such a step would not only ease financial and administrative pressure on traders but also enable their unhindered participation in the democratic process.
> “Small traders, contractors, and entrepreneurs are the backbone of the state’s economy. Overlooking their election-time responsibilities is unfair. The government must act swiftly and extend the GST filing deadline to prevent unnecessary financial penalties and interest,” said Advocate Vaibhav Pandey.
This demand is now gaining momentum across Uttarakhand, with various trader associations, contractor unions, and MSME groups voicing similar concerns. They emphasize that traders play a vital role in local governance and democracy, and some flexibility from the government would be a reasonable and supportive gesture during election season.
Business organizations are hopeful that the Finance Ministry and GST Council will acknowledge the practical difficulties faced by traders and issue a formal extension of the return filing deadline. Without such relief, many business owners may face avoidable financial penalties during a crucial democratic exercise — a situation they deem unjust.
