You will be pleased to know that the registration and renewal of thelicences can now be done through the app ‘MCGM24X7’, which can bedownloaded from the ‘Play Store’ on an Android Smartphone and ‘App Store’ on an Apple Device.

For android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.cdac.gov.mgov.mcgm

For Apple: https://appsto.re/in/68AL6.i

We are pleased to inform you that the government has accepted our representation and a notification has been issued in this regard, permitting retailers to maintain the registers in Electronics Systems with immediate effect. Please find the notification attached here.

This means that brick-and-mortar retail establishments in the state can now keep their stores open 365 days a year, provided they comply with the statutory requirements laid down by the government, which include giving employees a weekly off and restricting work hours to 9 hours a day and no more than 48 hours a week.

Complimenting the state government on the pro-industry move, RAI CEO Kumar Rajagopalan said, “The exemption from weekly closure will go a long way in helping brick-and-mortar retailers in Maharashtra achieve their true potential. It is also good for the consumers as they now have the convenience of shopping all days of the year.”

Welcoming the decision, BS Nagesh, Chairman, RAI; Founder TRRAIN said, “We really thank the Chief Minister and the team for recognizing the importance of retail trade and its potential contribution towards consumption, growth and development. The decision to allow stores to stay open 365 days will not only increase consumption but will also increase customer satisfaction of the citizens as well as tourists. More importantly, it will aid in generating employment for young men and women in retail.”

Industry captains see this an encouraging sign for retail businesses in the state. “We are delighted at the positive step taken by the Government of Maharashtra to allow retailers to keep our stores open for 365 days. We at RAI are working very closely with the Government of Maharashtra on various issues connected with the retail industry and have always received a very positive response at every occasion,” Jamshed S Daboo, MD Trent Hypermarket Ltd said.

Commending the decision, Rakesh Biyani, Joint MD, Future Retail Ltd, said, “We thank the Government of Maharashtra for considering the demands of the retail business in today’s connected world. Keeping the stores open all days of the week will add to the convenience factor of consumers, and drive consumption, which is good for the economy. The decision will also help the economy by creating more employment in the sector, which is still a human capital-intensive industry.”

The notification is considered a landmark one as it amends criteria for traders laid down 80 years back. The socio-economic environment of the country has changed significantly since then and this notification allows retailers to match pace with the changing business dynamics.

Please find the notification attached here.

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."