Digital Adoption, Technical Challenges and Access to GST Support – Case Study of Rampur Bushahr Himachal Pradesh

GST seeks to trace and regularize economic activity through digital platforms, invoice documentation, and return filling systems. Similar to the way digital payments aimed to trace unregistered transactions, GSTtoo has introduced tools such as e-invoicing, digital GST portals, and consumption schemes to promote participation and reduce tax evasion. GST has opened new avenues for growth. The removal of interstate barriers has allowed businesses to access broader markets beyond their immediate geography. Simplified schemes like the Composition Scheme have provided relief to low-turnover enterprises, while increased formalization has, in some cases, improved access to institutional finance. These dynamics reflect the dual nature of GST’s impact , wherein short-term regulatory pressure coexists with long-term possibilities. Despite various government reports and economic analyses, there is limited localized, empirical research on the impact of GST on small enterprises in semi-urban areas. This study addresses the gap by examining how GST has affected small businesses in Rampur Bushahr considered as local trade centre catering to suburbs of four Districts namely Kinnaur ,Kullu, Shimla and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.