The State Government of Andhra Pradesh had issued a notification exempting retailers from the advertisement tax. Despite the notification, members have informed RAI that the local municipal authorities are charging advertisements tax. In this regard, RAI has appealed to the State Government to instruct the local authorities to exempt retailers from the payment of advertisement tax.
 

RAI was requested by the Karnataka Government to submit inputs regarding the national retail trade policy. RAI had a couple of online meetings with VTPC to discuss the input for the policy.
 

Members informed RAI regarding the notices they started receiving after the State Government approved the implementation of the Marathi Signage Rule concerning signboards. In this regard, RAI has appealed to the State Government seeking their support considering the current situation to ensure business regrowth since such a move will be detrimental to the retailers who are already struggling to cope up with the losses incurred during the pandemic. RAI stated that retailers are putting efforts to increase footfalls and sales while following COVID appropriate behaviour, and any additional compliance will bend the backs of the retailers who are already displaying the name board in Marathi Font.

The Government of Bihar had restricted the operation of Malls in the State to curb the spread of the virus. While malls remained shut, member’s informed RAI that local authorities were forcing Stand-alone shops to be shut.

In this regard, RAI appealed to the State government to instruct the local authorities to permit the operation of Stand-alone shops. Furthermore, RAI also appealed to the State government to reopen malls.

The State Government of Haryana had issued restriction on the operations of retail shops and malls. The State Order stated that the retail establishments have to shut at 5 pm. In this regard, RAI appeal to the State Government to extend the hours of operations to reduce overcrowding, subject to following of COVID appropriate behaviour. Subsequently, the State Government permitted shops to remain open upto 7pm. RAI has further requested the State Government to extend hours of operation to ensure social distancing, and help revive the business.
 

RAI submitted a representation to Delhi Govt w.r.t. the State Order No. F.60/DDMA/COVID-19/2021/500, dated 28 December 2021. In its representation to Hon. Chief Minister, RAI appealed regarding the urgent need for allowing Shops and malls to be kept open every day to avoid overcrowding & ensure social distancing. Furthermore, RAI emphasized on the need of daily store operations to aid the retailers recover from the aftermath of the pandemic and the business losses.

The state government considered our request and withdrew the restrictions, including shutting shops on odd-even days, and weekend curfew. RAI has also requested the State Government to permit extended operating hours for shops.

RAI has submitted a representation to the State Government of Karnataka to withdraw the weekend curfew. RAI appealed to the Government that restricted working hours or weekend curfew would increase people movement during the rest of the days detrimental to social distancing.

RAI appealed to the Central Government concerning the restrictions imposed by various state governments despite the reduction in the number of cases.

RAI sought the Central Government’s urgent intervention to ensure the state governments withdraw the additional restrictions considering the negative impact it had on business which was slowly recovering due to the lockdowns imposed. Furthermore, RAI has also appealed to the State Governments to consider Hospitalizations as the criteria to determine level of restrictions, and not the number of cases, since most of the population is vaccinated.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI, has issued a direction to the State Governments to withdraw the additional restriction imposed hampering business operations. Please click here to view the order:

RAI was invited by DPIIT for a meeting on implementation of Quality Control Standards (QCOs) for leather and footwear sector. The meeting was chaired by Honorable Additional Secretary, DPIIT - Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur.

RAI had representatives from Adidas, Reliance, Clarks, Skechers, NIKE, Bata, Puma,  H&M, Arvind Brands to name a few.

Dr N Mohan represented on behalf of RAI and contended that there should be no QCOs for Fashion footwear under the purview of BIS standards as fashion keeps on evolving.

Honorable Additional Secretary patiently heard our views and asked RAI to submit a detailed representation with logical reasons at the earliest. Please click on the link below to find RAI’s submission: https://bit.ly/3Kcx7ej

RAI has been pursuing with Ministry of Consumer Affairs to prescribe a separate limit under essential commodities for big chain stores Hypermarket.

We are pleased to inform that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued an order wherein they have mentioned a specific limit for big chain retail shops - 30 quintals and 1000 quintals for retail outlets and Depots respectively.

Further special exemption has been provided to states of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Bihar. Please find the order