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.
With regards to the prohibition on serving/sale of Non-vegetarian dishes within 10 km radius of Air Force station Yelahanka from 30th January 2023 to 20th February 2023 due to Aero India–2023, RAI had submitted a representation to the authorities to exempt restaurants from this prohibition. Please click on the link below to view RAI's submission:
We are pleased to inform that the authorities have accepted RAI recommendation provided the restaurants agree to the proper disposal of meat waste without dumping it in the open
On 21 March 2023, RAI was invited for a meeting chaired by Shri Ajay Kumar Lal - Scientist, BIS to discuss QCOs for footwear. A delegation of 30 footwear retailers representing international brands attended the meeting.
There were detailed discussions on practical difficulties faced by members on various standards. Mr Lal gave a patient hearing. Members were asked to submit all the concerns with technical explanation and possible solution in writing.
Delegation had also raised that the existing inventory/ goods produced before 30th June 2023 should not be under the BIS purview. Mr Lal suggested to take the issue with DPIIT.
Further to a series of meetings and discussions with DPIIT on BIS regulations on footwear, RAI had submitted the following representation to the Department to support the Indian Footwear Retail industry with sufficient compliance time-frame:
We shall keep you posted once we hear back from the Department.
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.
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.