New Delhi, Mar 12 (KNN) Retailers and related businesses operating in the state of Haryana to benefit as the Logistics, Warehousing & Retail Policy 2019 comes into force after the Cabinet notifies it, said Retailers Association of India (RAI).

The policy has been drafted in consultation with Retailers Association of India (RAI) and is a concrete step towards facilitating ‘Ease of Doing Business’ for retailers and businesses operating in the retail ecosystem.

“With the notification of this policy, Haryana becomes the fourth state to have a separate policy for retail trade (after Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka). RAI is happy to work with Govt. of Haryana on the policy and we believe that this will be a game-changer for Logistics, Warehousing and Retail businesses in the state”, said Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI.

He stated that the reforms in the policy such as single desk clearance for licenses, setting up of retail hub, and permission to employ part-time workers among others are progressive steps that will help take retail in the state to the next level.

“We hope others states too will follow suit”, he added.

IAS, Ashok Sangwan, Director-cum-Special Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Adviser, Civil Aviation, Haryana and Special Secretary to Government of Haryana, Civil Aviation Department had announced launching such a policy at an RAI Summit in Delhi in September last year.

“We are coming up with logistics, warehousing & retail policy in consultation with RAI. With logistics we see retail as the driving forces of the state’s economy and have made several concessions and considerations to help retailers grow,” he had said.

The policy aims to transform Haryana into a global Logistics, Warehousing and Retail hub, which is well equipped with state-of-the-art Logistics & Warehousing infrastructure, a conducive regulatory environment and a mechanism for maximizing returns for retailers and providing best buying experience to the end consumer.

The policy has specified fiscal incentives to Logistics and Warehousing Sector which will help Haryana become a preferred consolidated logistics hub on the lines of Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Some of the regulatory reforms specified in the policy that are beneficial to retail includes single desk clearance mechanism for all permissions and licences to start and operate retail stores in the state, setting up of Retail hub on minimum land area of 5 acres may be permitted in agricultural zone in Low and Medium potential zones, retail enterprises shall be allowed to operate 24 X 7 (three shifts) subject to compliance of appropriate condition.

Besides, retail enterprises have been allowed to offer part-time employment and women employees have been permitted to work in all shifts of retail enterprise subject to compliance of appropriate condition.