The Centre’s National Trade Retail Policy, which has been in the works for some time, is learnt to be in advanced stages of finalisation. It is expected to serve as a model policy providing a framework of guidelines for states.
According to sources, among other things, it will prioritise making conducting business easier, streamlining the licencing procedure, lightening the load of compliance, and allowing women to work longer hours. It is also planned to create a national portal that would make all licensing-related procedures accessible from a single platform, reducing bureaucracy and enabling shops to monitor the licencing process.
The policy has been finalised, according to a top industry executive, and it is up to the Government to determine when to announce it. He continued by saying that the policy will provide the general parameters of a prescriptive framework and that States will be crucial to its execution.
According to industry sources, the rules will prioritise several issues, such as removing obstacles that prevent women from working until store closure time and providing them with the opportunity to work part-time.
The retail industry anticipates that the guidelines will make obtaining a licence easier. Retail establishments currently need to get 25–50 different licences, many of which need to be renewed yearly. The Federal Government, State Governments, and local Governments grant these licences.
A nationwide gateway that would enable shops to access and follow the licencing and clearing process through a single website is being proposed, according to a top industry official who also stated that a single view of the licences is necessary.
