Draft Retail Policy proposes centralised inspection, single window for licences

The government plans to put in place a single window clearance mechanism to acquire all registrations, licences or clearances for retail trade, and a Centralised Computerized Inspection Management System for inspections of retail entities.

The proposals are part of the draft National Retail Trade Policy prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which seeks to examine the feasibility of providing a single license for a retail store and a general category of license for selling ‘Over the Counter’ items for retailers without the requirement of employing qualified professionals. ET has reviewed the policy.