Retailers to get all clearances under single-window, says Andhra govt

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said the government will come out with a system to ease norms for retailers to open new outlets by getting all necessary clearances from a single window. During a meeting at the Secretariat, retailers requested the Chief Minister to devise a system which will simplify the process and enable them to open new outlets through some basic guidelines every time they want to set up shop. [caption id=“attachment_1757647” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. AFP[/caption] Under the current policy, if a retailer has to open a shop in one city/town, he has to get several clearances each time he sets up a shop in a particular town or city, they said. Responding to this, the Chief Minister said, “Once a retailer gets approval in the state, a system will be designed to enable the retailer to open multiple outlets just by informing the single-desk (for clearances) and by following basic guidelines." Naidu also asked retailers to work on a draft retail policy (that will include best practices from across the country) with the government of Andhra Pradesh. On retailers’ suggestion of setting up ‘retail zones’ in the state, the Chief Minister asked them to come up with a plan of action on this. On their request, the Chief Minister gave a nod to 365-day working of outlets but said retailers have to abide by labour laws and create a shift system for employees. Explaining that Andhra Pradesh is poised to become international logistics hub, Naidu asked retailers to encourage manufacturers to set up units in the state. The Chief Minister also added that retailers could source food from local areas (for marine, agriculture and dairy products) and sell them for local consumption. This will not only increase local consumption but also bring in revenues. Pointing out that retailers face logistics challenges, the CM suggested them to bring in world-renowned experts from the field and work on introducing logistics courses in colleges and Universities. The retailers said they will take up skill upgradation under Corporate Social Responsibility. The Chief Minister suggested to retailers to take up quality control tests and labelling of products made by members of DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas). He also suggested them to take up promotion of these products. Top officials from Shoppers Stop, Walmart, Lifestyle International, Future Group, Trent, Reliance Retail, Raheja Group and Aditya Birla Group, besides other representatives from Retailers Association of India attended the meeting. PTI