Telangana Govt accepted the representation and announced on 12th Feb 2015 that Retailers can keep stores open 365 days in a year. Although, an official notification from the Hon’ble government is yet to be issued, Shri Pradeep Chandra - Hon’ble Special Chief secretary of Telangana, confirmed that the said notification will be issued soon.

RAI delegation had a series of meetings with MCGM officials and had a detailed discussion on the subject matter. RAI suggested that these fees should not be applicable for those advertisements boards which are related with the trade or business carried on from the premises on which the boards are fixed. Sky–signs are mainly set up for advertising which is an integral component of every retail store. As long as the sky sign is fixed in and out of the self-owned, leased or mortgaged premise of the retail store, it should not attract the requirement of permission of the commissioner and payment of fees.

The Policy will not only address the major concerns of the retail fraternity but will also help in seeking growth in business thus taking retail trade to a new high.

Under Section 328 and 328 A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888  permission of the Commissioner is required for display of advertisement hoardings by means of surface or structure erected on ground or any portion of a roof of a building or on/above the parapet, with characters, letters or illustrations applied there to and displayed in any manner along with payment of prescribed fees.

Pharmacy retailers anddistributors are not allowed to sell bathroom weighing scales and BMI (BodyMass Index) machine without permission from Legal Metrology department. Boththese products are essential and in great demand since obesity is a majorproblem due to the changing lifestyle. Thus availability of these productsbecomes a matter of concern.

RAI representatives met with Shri Kunal Kumar, Commissioner, PMC on 29th October, 2014 to have a discussion on PMC’s notification to charge RS. 15/- per plastic bag.

As you would be aware that the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Legal Metrology Act issued a notification stating that, "Every package containing soap, shampoos, toothpastes and other cosmetics and toiletries shall bear at the top of its principal display panel a red or, as the case may be, brown dot for products of non vegetarian origin and a green dot for products of vegetarian origin."

RAI had submitted a representation to the Government of Maharashtra to allow retailers to keep their stores open 14 hours in a day on account of the festival of Diwali. Please click here to view the Representation.

RAI representatives had met with the Labour Minister regarding Extension of Working Hours during Diwali. We are pleased to inform you that Labour minister accepted our representation and a notification has been issued  in this regard. Please click here to view the notification.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) vide their Advisory dated 4th August, 2014 has extended the deadline for the Food Business Operators seeking conversion/renewal of existing License/Registration. The new deadline is 4th February, 2015.

The FSSAI advisory giving the new deadline can be found here.

RAI submitted a representation to the Labour Ministry of Maharashtra contending to extend operating hours for retail stores till 12 mid-night on 15th, 16th and 17th August, 2014 on account of Independence weekend which draws a large crowd.

Please find the representation submitted here. The,  Government last year allowed retailers to keep their stores open 14 hours a day from October 27th to November 7th on account of festive season (Diwali).