I. Clarity sought on refunding money to customers carrying cotton/jute carry bag – Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had issued a circular stating that the money of the carry bag collected from customers who buy plastic carry bags should be refunded to customers carrying cotton/jute bags. RAI has submitted a representation to GHMC stating the impracticalities in its implementation. Please click here to view the representation.
II. RAI & retail industry delegates meet insecticide board Chairman-Dr. Gurbachan Singh
With respect to the concerns around regulations surrounding the sale/use of insecticides, insecticides need to be classified as per the risk posed. The Chairman acknowledging the concern, promised to grant relief. Please click here to view the representation submitted.
III. New regulation for protection of women from sexual harassment at workplace
The Gazette of India received the assent of the President of India and published the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The bill was passed in September 2012 in the Lok Sabha and subsequently in Rajya Sabha in February 2013. The Act states to provide protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected or incidental to it. Please find the notification published by the Gazette of India.
IV. License for operating shops for 365 days a year in Maharashtra
RAI met Shri. Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Labour (Maharashtra), in order to understand the new procedure approved by the Labour Minister of Maharashtra for applying for license to run shops 365 days a year in Maharashtra. In the new procedure, the license will be directly granted by the Government and the reference to the Labour Commissioner or Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will not be required. The applications for the said license will be entirely processed by the Labour Secretary.
Shri. Arvind Kumar said “This administrative reform will reduce the time taken to grant license and will be granted within 30 days from the date of application.”
The circular issued by the Ministry gives all the necessary documents required while filing the application. Also, an affidavit is issued stating that there is no child labour employed in the establishment, there are no complaints about sexual harassment and that the establishment is run and operated under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Rules, 1948 and under Minimum Wages Rules,1948, which needs to be signed by the authorised representative. Please find the circular issued.
V. Andhra Pradesh High Court directs state Government to renew Civil Supply License
Andhra Pradesh Government had increased the security deposit for obtaining the Civil Supply license from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 25,000. In response, Spencer’s Retail, a member of RAI, contested the increase of the deposit and approached the High Court. Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the Andhra Pradesh state Government to renew the licenses. The Court also directed to pay 50% of the increased amount back to all the retailers in the state and considered the earlier deposit to be given credit while renewing.
VI. Food Safety and Standards
License number along with FSSAI’s monogram is mandatory and must to be displayed on the principal display panel of the food package. View the notification.
VII. RBI grants extension on making credit/debit-card present transactions PIN based
RAI had represented to Reserve Bank of India to grant extension to make debit/credit card transactions PIN based. RBI had also mentioned to issue only EMV Chip International debit/credit cards. In this regard, RBI granted an extension of the deadline from June 30, 2013 to September 30, 2013. To view the representation submitted to RBI click here.
VIII. Appellate Tribunal for Electricity grants stay in response to RAI’s petition against levy of Cross Subsidy Surcharge
RAI filed a petition against the order dated 10.5.2013 passed by Maharashtra State Commission directing large and unprecedented increase in levels of Cross Subsidy Surcharge applicable to various categories of consumers who have changed over to the Appellant (Tata Power) for the supply of electricity from the Appellant on the distribution network of the Reliance Infrastructure Limited (R-Infra). The Appellate Tribunal (APTEL) has granted stay; and the Appeal is listed for hearing on 5th August. Click here to view the stay order.
IX. RAI’s initiative to charge plastic bags reduces its consumption by 58 %
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India had recommended a ban on Plastic Carry Bags. RAI had represented to the Union Government and various state governments that plastic carry bags should not be banned. One of the major concerns of the various governments has been that of waste management. RAI in its earlier representation to the Government had suggested that Plastic Carry Bags be subjected to the Polluter Pay Principle i.e. plastic carry bags be available for use by customers at a charge. This would help reduce the use of plastic bags thus deterring the government from banning its use.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, has come out with the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules, 2011. This has also now been published in the Gazette. This notification suggests the following economic instruments. Click here for a copy of the notification.
Carry bags have been defined as bags made from any plastic material, used for the purpose of carrying or dispensing commodities but do not include bags that constitute or form an integral part of the packaging in which goods are sealed prior to use. The central notification talks about the carry bags being of a minimum of 40 micron thickness.
With this notification it has become mandatory to recover the cost of the plastic carry bags from customers. Members of RAI are joining an initiative to encourage prudent use of plastic; save the environment; and are committed to making cities cleaner and greener.