RAI delegation had a fruitful meeting with Shri. Barun Kumar Ray (IAS), Addl. Chief Secretary (Labour Department), & Smt. Sharmila Khatua (Labour Commissioner), Government of West Bengal.
Delegation discussed about 24×7 operational permission in the State. The Hon’ble Secretary has asked the Labour Commissioner and officials present in the meeting to look into the matter.
He assured us that he will consider 24x7 food home delivery for restaurants and QSRs. The meeting ended with a positive note.
We shall keep you posted on any development.
RAI is pleased to report the successful implementation of the MSME Empowerment Programme directed by the National Council of Retailers Association of India, and executed by RAI.
The first programme with the support of the Retailers Food Dealer Welfare Association was conducted for retailers in Mumbai, on 27th March and was a great success.
The second programme was conducted for retailers in Lucknow on 16th April.
Around 90 small and micro retailers, who were keen to learn and improve their businesses, attended both the programmes.
An Interactive workshop on The Food Safety and Standards Regulations was conducted in Hyderabad on 15th March. The workshop saw participation of around 25 participants and RAI received excellent feedback for the workshop.
RAI had a very fruitful meeting with Shri Arvind Kumar, the Special Chief Secretary of Govt of Telangana and discussed wrt prohibition on primary plastic packaging. Pls find RAI’S submission as under:
The Honorable Secretary assured us that he will consider our representation.
We shall keep you updated.
RAI was invited by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs - Government of India for a meeting on implementation of hallmarking of Gold Jewellery in India. The meeting was chaired by Honorable Secretary - Shri Rohit Kumar Singh; Honorable Additional Secretary - Smt Nidhi Khare and Honorable DG: BIS - Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari.
RAI had submitted a representation to Ministry of Consumer Affairs and requested for six months extension of Mandatory Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery or Gold Artefacts post 31st March, 2023. Pls find RAI's submission below:
Honorable Secretary patiently heard our views and assured that the Ministry will soon take a decision wherein the stakeholders won't face any issues in implementation of the said amendment.
RAI was invited for a meeting chaired by Mr Rajeev Thakur, AS, DPIIT and Mr Pramod Kumar Tiwari - DG, BIS and Mr HJS Pasricha - Deputy DG, BIS on 2 March 2023 at BIS headquarters to discuss QCOs for footwear.
The following were the points discussed:-
1. Initially testing should be based on self-certification and we should agree on a road map to create labs as well as spread awareness in the Industry.
2. The existing inventory/ goods produced before 30th June 2023 should not be under the BIS purview as in our industry every shoe has a hand tag which states clearly month and year of Manufacture and that should be good enough to differentiate. Officials mentioned that they will get back quickly.
3. So far no standards have been published on both Children and clogs categories. These will be discussed subsequently.
4. As a lot of FDIs are expected to flow into the country and there is a panic in the International brands community with fears on on market access. We suggested that international brands especially sports footwear brands who follow either EU or American standards which are much higher than the current draft BIS standards proposed, should be allowed to import based on self-declaration.
5. Consider marking on Shoe box: To this the authorities expressed apprehension. We need to find a solution and go back to them.
Concluding remarks by DG - BIS:
1. For first year, there will be hand holding. There will be NO Inspector Raj.
2. For domestic manufacturers having units in India, license will be given quickly the moment factory visit happens i.e. within 15 days. Process will be very close to self-certification. Renewal is automatic Subject to timely payment of renewal fee.
Foreign visit by BIS officials is only once at the beginning. BIS is open to suggestions and the meeting ended on a positive note.
Meeting was attended by representatives from Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd; Puma; Adidas; Skechers; Trent; Reliance; Bata; Nike; H&M; Decathlon along with RAI Team.
RAI delegation had a fruitful meeting with Smt Anju Sharma- Principal Secretary, Labour/Skill Development/Employment & Shri Anupam Anand, Labour Commissioner, Government of Gujarat.
Delegation discussed about 24×7 operational issue in the State.
Hon. PS has requested a proposal for Skill Development & Employment in the state. She has assured us, that she will consider our request for 24*7, once we send her proposal for Skill Development & Employment in the state.
The meeting ended with a positive note.
RAI delegation had a fruitful meeting with the Govt of Maharashtra on 18 January 2023 to discuss the Maharashtra Retail Trade Policy.
Request members to share the areas of concerns in the state which need to be incorporated in the policy draft. suggestion to GoM on or before 27th Jan 2023.
RAI delegation had a fruitful meeting with Shri KM Sunil- Addl. Labour Commissioner - Government of Kerala.
Delegation discussed about 24×7 operational issue in the State. ALC assured the delegation, that he will send clearance proposal to the Ministry next week. He will intimate us, after the Government gives decision. The meeting ended with a positive note.
We shall keep you posted on any development.
On 22 December 2022, a bill was introduced in the Parliament – The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2022, which decriminalizes certain Act like Legal Metrology Act and Food Safety Act. This is a Landmark Reform for operation of Retail Business in India. Please click on the link below to view the bill and refer page 105:
We are pleased to inform that the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has accepted RAI recommendation and amended the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 regarding Decriminalization of Legal Metrology Act. RAI has been pursuing the Government for the same as a part of ease of doing retail business and also had a series of meetings with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
RAI also thanked the Department of Consumer Affairs for consideration of RAI’s request.