GHMC had issued an advertisement policy which stated that:
Furthermore, there was no clarity on informative signboards, whether they are included in 15% of total frontage. RAI appealed GHMC to reconsider the policy but the submission was not accepted by the authorities.
Subsequently, GHMC started issuing notices and imposing fines for the erection of illegal advertisements under this policy. Various members represented to RAI to challenge this policy and take legal remedy. In this regard, RAI has filed a writ petition against GHMC. GHMC has sought 15 days time to file the counter to the writ petition. The matter will be tagged with all the similar petitions and will proceed further once the GHMC files the counter.
RAI is following up on its request with the state governments of Maharashtra and Telangana to allow the apparel and garment shops to permit the use of trial rooms. RAI has submitted the detailed SOPs to these state governments.
The government of Goa had issued instructions restricting the import of chicken and egg products from neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. In this regard, RAI submitted a representation appealing to the state government to permit the same since a clarification was issued by central government regarding the safety of cooked chicken and egg products.
Despite relaxations provided by the Central Government, the state governments of Maharashtra, Telangana and Delhi have restricted the opening of entertainment parks and indoor amusement centres. In this regard, RAI appealed to the state governments to permit the opening of the same. Subsequently, Maharashtra and Telangana governments have allowed entertainment parks and indoor amusement centres to open subject to following the SOPs issued by the authorities. RAI is following up with the Delhi government to permit the same.
The Government of NCT of Delhi had issued an order restricting entry/sale of dressed, processed and canned chicken and its products in Delhi, on 11.01.2021. RAI represented the concern of the restaurants to the state government stating that such an adverse order would impact the business operations of members who are engaged in sale of poultry and poultry products. Subsequently, the order dated 11.01.2021 has been revoked by the Delhi Government.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India had issued a quality control order, requiring sports footwear to compulsorily bear a specified standard mark (under a license from Bureau of India Standards). The order was in effect from October 28, 2020. Click here to download the order.
RAI had requested for deferment of timeline for the enforcement of this order. Upon RAI's persuasion and submission, timeline for implementation of this order is extended till July 1, 2021. RAI's working group has submitted a detailed representation to DPIIT and has also requested for an appointment.
Central Advisory issued by Shri Atul Chaturvedi, Hon Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Government
RAI had submitted a representation to Shri Atul Chaturvedi, Hon Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department to issue a central advisory to all the states in regard to restrictions imposed on movement and sale of poultry products. Please click the link to view the representation
Subsequently, Hon. Secretary has issued the required clarification to all the state governments. Please click here to view the clarification
Various States/Districts including Maharashtra (multiple districts), Madhya Pradesh (Indore), Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand (Dehradun), Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar), Gujarat (Surat) have issued local lockdowns despite the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. RAI has appealed to the State/District administrations to withdraw the local lockdown imposed to ensure the revival of the retail industry. RAI had also appealed to DPIIT & MHA, Government of India to instruct these State Governments to strictly adhere to the Central Government's Unlock 4.0 guidelines. (vide D.O. No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A), dated 29.08.2020) and withdraw partial lockdowns imposed by them as they tend to create roadblocks on the path to revival
Despite having 365 days store opening permission, local authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh were insisting on weekly closures. RAI has represented the concern and has requested the state governments to permit daily operations for shops having 365 days store operating permissions.
RAI has submitted a representation to Hon. Chairman, FSSAI regarding the School Children Regulation F. No. 15 (1) 2016/School Children Regulation/Enf/FSSAI and the impact it is going to have on QSR industry as a whole. In its representation, RAI has stated that, as F&B Industry is seriously impacted due to COVID-19 pandemic, and many of the establishments big or small, are just initiating to make a come-back, the said clause of this regulation will seriously hamper the efforts as well as the economy of this sector. This will also impact the GST revenue collection from the food sector by the Centre as well as the States.
Click here to view the representation.
In its efforts to ensure Ease of Doing Business for members, RAI has once again submitted a representation to the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and are in correspondence with the State authorities to permit all retailers to operate 365 days a year to help revive the economic activities in the state by issuing a notification to its effect. A similar representation has been submitted to the Uttarakhand Govt to permit 365 days store opening permission.