RAI on its website said, "All retailers have welcomed the policy, acknowledging it as a memorable occasion for entire retail industry and a great initiative undertaken by the Maharashtra government to provide retail with an industry status.
Shah said the main objective of the government through this policy is to strengthen mall shopping in India. “The maximum benefit will go to the organised sector and the policy does not do anything to fulfill one of the government's objectives in the policy of strengthening the unorganised small retailers to face globalisation," he said.
The policy does have some things common to both the organised and unorganised sector such as extended hours for conducting business, end to inspector raj, simplification of procedures to obtain licenses and renewals, self-declaration, online registration, no fees to be charged for trade name and no permission required either.
But Shah pointed out that there are several clauses that benefit only the big retailers such as extra floor space index 70 per cent higher ground floor coverage, additional height, extra parking facilities free of FSI, change of user within a mall can be carried out, recreation ground can be used for recreation facilities etc.
Shah feared that such clauses will eventually make the policy tilt heavily in favour of big retailers. (SH)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India