New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI) The Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday said a draft of the National Retail Policy would be released within next 10 days and suggestion would be invited from the trade community.
“A draft of National Retail Policy will be released in next ten days seeking comments from trading fraternity,” DPIIT Secretary Ramesh Abhishek said.
He said this while chairing a meeting convened by the Commerce Ministry to discuss the National Retail Policy with trade associations here.
Mr Abhishek said the government has tried its best at all levels to understand the ground realities of retail trade and accordingly the policy is being designed to relive traders from hardships and engage them in a better way to grow their respective business in a structured manner which may be to the advantage of Indian economy.
The National Retail Policy, he said, will streamline the retail trade in India and is poised to provide ease of doing business.
He said retail trade in India is about 650 billion dollar and life line of economy therefore a national retail policy is all the more necessary for smooth business activities in the country.
Participating in the deliberations, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the policy should include upgradation & modernisation of existing format of retail trade.
He said the government has almost moved to e-system whereas till now only 35 per cent of traders out of 7 crore have been able to computerised their business.
“Serious steps are needed to link rest of 65 per cent traders with computer system and for this government should provide 50 per cent subsidy to traders,” he added.
Beside CAIT, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Laghu Udyog Bharti, Retailers Associations of India, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber and others attended the meeting.
