The Consumer disputes redressal commission (Consumer Forum) in various states passed orders against charging customers for carry bags. The retailers have averred that the charges for the carry bags were taken only after seeking consent of the customers and proper communication / sign boards/advertisements mentioning the charges had been put up at the stores. The consumer court in various states have ruled that charging for a carry bag is unethical and asked retailers to pay compensation to customers.
Few retailers challenged state consumer forum orders before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). But unfortunately, NCDRC also dismissed the case. Reliance Retail Limited has challenged NCDRC order before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
RAI filed an impleadment application before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for charging of carry bags on behalf of members.
We are pleased to inform that RAI's intervention application has been accepted by the Hon’ ble Supreme Court.
We shall keep you posted on this.
Finally, a landmark Reform for operation of Retail Business in India
Yesterday, 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.
Thank You to the Department of Consumer Affairs for consideration of RAI’s request. Congratulations to all the members
Department of Legal Metrology issued a notification for garments which are sold in loose or open at the point of sale in such manner that the consumer can inspect the products before buying. Click on the link below to view the notification:
https://bit.ly/3AJZDRM
RAI was invited by Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) along with food retailers to discuss on price benchmarking of essential commodities and discuss issues faced by retailers in essential commodities regulation.
Meeting was chaired by Secretary of MoCA - Mr. Rohit Kumar Singh along with Principal Economic Advisor - Dr. Kamkhenthang Guite.
Representatives from More Retail, Spar (Landmark), Spencers, Reliance Retail, Big Basket, D Mart, Metro Cash & Carry, 24×7 Retail and Star Bazaar joined for this meeting.
The Department of Legal Metrology vide notification dated April 01, 2021 has issued directions with respect to GST impact on unsold pre-packaged products. Department has permitted the manufacturers or packers or importers of pre-packaged commodities to declare the revised retail sale price (MRP) on the unsold stock manufactured / packed / imported prior to the revision of GST, after inclusion of the increased amount of tax due to GST (if any), in addition to the existing retail sale price (MRP) up to 31 January 2023 or till such date the stock is exhausted whichever is earlier. Please click on the link below to view the notification:
39th meeting of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India held on 13 July 2022 under the Chairmanship of Shri. Rajesh Bhushan IAS and Shri. Arun Singhal CEO of FSSAI. Mr GR Srikkanth had represented on behalf of RAI and deliberated on various issues relating to regulations of food safety and consumer interests. FSSAI has agreed to address problem faced by retailers.
RAI had a meeting with Delhi Government to discuss Delhi Shopping Festival which will be organised from January 28 to February 26 next year. RAI assured the State Govt its support to make it successful.
Request members to share their suggestions wrt Delhi Shopping Festival on palak@rai.net.in
Government of India has banned manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the certain Single Use Plastics with effect from 1 July, 2022.
Please click on the link below to know the list of items that have been banned.
Click here
Members are advised to keep a printout of the list at their stores to avoid any confusion amongst store staff about what is not allowed and to prevent an action for non-compliance.
Here’s the list Of Single-Use Plastic Items that have been banned by the Government of India from 1 July 2022
Legal Metrology & Labour Law Workshops were conducted in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata in May & June 2022 which saw participation of around 35 participants each and RAI received excellent feedback for all the workshops.