RAI delegation had a fruitful meeting with Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog. Various subjects pertaining to opening of malls and retail stores, challenges faced by retailers at local level and non-availability of working capital support were discussed during the meeting.
RAI appeals to MHA & DPIIT on ad hoc lockdowns by states
Despite Unlock 3.0 being rolled out across the country, a few state governments & district authorities including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, among others, have imposed restrictions on the operations of shops & establishments on weekends by imposing ‘ad hoc Lockdowns’ & ‘Weekend Curfews’.
In this regard. RAI has appealed to the DPIIT & the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to instruct state governments to avoid issuing such lockdown orders as they tend to create roadblocks on the path to revival.
Furthermore, RAI has submitted representations to Chief Secretaries and District Magistrates of such states which have issued lockdowns to allow retailers and malls to operate daily for the economic revival of the industry.
RAI represents to FSSAI regarding regulation on Sale of Sweets in loose form RAI has submitted a representation to Hon. Chairman, FSSAI regarding the practical difficulties in the implementation of the order that makes it mandatory for Food Business Operators to declare “Best Before Date” & “Date of Manufacturing” in sweets which are sold in loose form.
RAI has submitted a representation to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India seeking clarification on whether third-party invoicing was permitted under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). And if third-party invoicing is permitted, whether the FOB value of goods invoiced from the third party, including the margin is eligible for the exemption. In its representation, RAI has highlighted the wide acceptance of the practice of third-party invoicing worldwide.
RAI submits recommendations on Legal Metrology proposal
The Department of Legal Metrology, Ministry of Consumer Affairs has come up with a proposal for decriminalizing the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. The salient features of the Act are:
Every offense is now compoundable
Director nomination has now been removed
Click here to view the proposal. RAI has submitted its proposal on the same to the Department.
(Click here to view RAI's comments )
A delegation of members of Retailers Association of India (RAI) met Shri Praveen Pardeshi, Hon Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and had a fruitful discussion on 24 hours working in Mumbai. The delegation consisted of Retailers, Mall and Restaurant Operators.
The key points discussed during the meeting were:
24 X 7 provision is an enabling provision and it is currently available only for establishments operating in Malls and/or Mills.
For Standalone Shops & Restaurants, Retailers Association of India (RAI) will work with the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) and identify specific areas where Retailers & Restaurants are willing to stay open 24 x 7. Both associations will submit a detailed plan to the BMC.
BMC will soon issue a notification to permit theatres to be kept open 24 X 7.
BMC will club all the required licenses (Trade, Health, Signage, etc) in one license. A single license will be issued by the BMC for the validity of 10 years.
Mr. Sharad Ughade, AC, BMC has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for this initiative. Malls and Retailers can coordinate with him on Ac.gs@mcgm.gov.in.
Click here to view the minutes of the first meeting on 24 hours working. Please feel free to contact us on akshay@rai.net.in for any clarification on the same.
RAI is pleased to inform you that the Karnataka State Government has issued a notification permitting all Shops and Commercial Establishments in the state, employing ten or more persons, to be open on 24x7 basis on all days of the year for a period of three years, subject to the conditions mentioned in the notification. Click here to view the notification.
The Central Government introduced 'The Model Shops and Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Services) Act 2016 which has been one of the key asks of the Retailers Association of India for the overall benefit and the growth of the Indian retail sector. RAI has been pursuing all the State Governments to adopt the Model Act for enabling Ease of Doing Business.
The State Government of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have already adopted the Model Bill. Furthermore, RAI has worked with the Karnataka Government for formulating their State Level Retail Trade Policy.
We believe that move by the State Government with definitely enable 'Ease of Doing Business' in the State of Karnataka.
RAI had filed a writ petition before the Hon'ble Karnataka High Cour challenging the circulars/notices issued by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). These circulars/notices mandated that the name boards of shops/establishments have to be displayed in the Kannada language with 60% of the display board in the Kannada language and the remaining 40% of the board can be in other languages. Non-compliance would have led to the cancellation of trade licenses.
The Hon'ble Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to RAI members and directed BBMP to not take any action. Click here to view the order copy.
The Petition has been filed by RAI on behalf of all RAI members; Members having a valid membership are entitled to the interim relief.
While it is now not mandatory to have 60% of the name board in the Kannada language, members are advised to have name boards in the Kannada language as well, along with any other languages at their outlets in the state.
The state government of Telangana has renewed the notification for 365 days store opening permission in the state. The renewed notification is valid for a further period of three years. RAI, on behalf of the entire retail fraternity, thanks the state government of Telangana for considering its submission and encouraging Ease of Doing Business in the state.
The State Government of Maharashtra has issued a notification revising minimum rates of wages to the employees employed in the scheduled employment viz. 'Employment in a shop or commercial establishment' in the state of Maharashtra for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour in the state w.e.f. 24th July 2019.
The State Government of Maharashtra has issued a revised notification exempting Bubble Plastic material used for wrapping the material at the manufacturing stage or is an integral part of manufacturing from the purview of the ban issued under the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018, subject to compliance of the conditions laid down in the notification.
Click here to view the notification.
RAI has been working with the State Government of Maharashtra and is a part of the expert committee formed by the State Government in regard to the plastic ban. Members are requested to share their views/suggestion on the attached notification on akshay@rai.net.in