RAI representatives met with Shri Kunal Kumar, Commissioner, PMC on 29th October, 2014 to have a discussion on PMC’s notification to charge RS. 15/- per plastic bag.

As you would be aware that the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Legal Metrology Act issued a notification stating that, "Every package containing soap, shampoos, toothpastes and other cosmetics and toiletries shall bear at the top of its principal display panel a red or, as the case may be, brown dot for products of non vegetarian origin and a green dot for products of vegetarian origin."

RAI had submitted a representation to the Government of Maharashtra to allow retailers to keep their stores open 14 hours in a day on account of the festival of Diwali. Please click here to view the Representation.

RAI representatives had met with the Labour Minister regarding Extension of Working Hours during Diwali. We are pleased to inform you that Labour minister accepted our representation and a notification has been issued  in this regard. Please click here to view the notification.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) vide their Advisory dated 4th August, 2014 has extended the deadline for the Food Business Operators seeking conversion/renewal of existing License/Registration. The new deadline is 4th February, 2015.

The FSSAI advisory giving the new deadline can be found here.

RAI submitted a representation to the Labour Ministry of Maharashtra contending to extend operating hours for retail stores till 12 mid-night on 15th, 16th and 17th August, 2014 on account of Independence weekend which draws a large crowd.

Please find the representation submitted here. The,  Government last year allowed retailers to keep their stores open 14 hours a day from October 27th to November 7th on account of festive season (Diwali).

The budget has come with recommendations which will positively impact the retail sector. An increase in the personal income tax limit will create disposable income in the hands of the consumer while the single window clearance facility for smaller businesses will be an added impetus for the industry.

The budget’s emphasis on improving rural internet and broadband connectivity will enable an increased market size for retailers and improve overall consumption story for the country.

Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) regulations required the Food Business Operators (FBOs) to file annual returns within 31st May of every year for the period April 1st to March 31st. The regulation further adds that a separate return shall be filed for every license issued under the Regulations, irrespective of whether the same Food Business Operator holds more than one license and any delay in filing return beyond 31st May of each year shall attract a penalty of Rs 100 per day of delay.

RAI had submitted a representation to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) contending that retailers should be excluded from this regulation as they sell hundreds of food SKUs bought from numerous vendors across large geographical area and the process of filing a separate return for each license would be tedious. FSSAI agreed to our request and verbally confirmed that retailers, traders, restaurants and distributors need not comply with the said regulation.   

Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had issued a notification that plastic carry bags are required to be charged at the rate of Rs. 15 per bag irrespective of the size. RAI submitted a representation to PMC contending that Rs. 15 is an exorbitant rate and way above Rs.2 - Rs. 5 per plastic bag as given by other Municipal Corporations.

Charging this high amount will attract resistance from customers and retailers may face a drop in the foot fall. Moreover, it involves many operational and implementation challenges for the retailers as the plastic bag charges differ for every Municipal Corporation limit. In this regard, RAI representatives met the PMC Commissioner. The commissioner suggested to express our concern to the Mayor of Pune.  The Mayor’s office, if convinced, will direct the PMC to reduce the plastic bag rate

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued a notification stating that FSSAI logo and license number of the Food Business Operator’s brand should be displayed on the label of the food package.

The time period for complying with this is 1st July, 2014. Please find the notification to this effect. High resolution FSSAI logo can be downloaded from the FSSAI website: http://www.fssai.gov.in.

RAI submitted a representation to the Directorate General of Foreign contending that shipments which are sold online using online payment options should be given an option to export the shipment through express mode instead of going through the tedious shipping bill process.

This will ensure lower transaction cost for SMEs and also fulfill the commitment of delivery on time. Please find the representation submitted here.