RAI has been approached by various members to represent the complexity of B2C invoices under the GST regime. RAI has submitted multiple representations to highlight the GST related issue w.r.t. B2C invoice.
As per GST invoice rules, all dealers are required to issue invoice as per a specified format. In every invoice, it is mandatory to mention GST rates and HS code for each article sold and provide tax details. Complying with the requirements of the format are not only increasing the size of the invoice but also be confusing as they have a lot of information which is not relevant to the end customer as they would not be claiming input credit of GST. The issues need urgent resolution as consumers feel that they are paying too much of taxes and are confused with long bills and multiple lines of items and GST rates in the bill.
Being the voice of the industry and in keeping the interest of the consumers in mind, RAI has submitted a representation calling the Government’s attention to the issue. Please click here to view the recent representation submitted to Finance Minister, GoI.
Since the implementation of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) in the country, a lot of information has been circulated about it on social media. As the apex body of retailers, Retailers Association of India (RAI) would like to clarify that not all the content that is being circulated is trustworthy or factual.
A case in point is a forward being circulated that urges people to ask for separate bill for every Rs1000 to save money on GST. As per the forward, the slabs are as follows: 0% GST up to Rs1000; 2.5% GST on spends of Rs 1000 to Rs 15000; 6% on Rs 1500 to Rs2500 and 18% on bill of Rs 2500 to Rs 4,500.
Believing the above information as true, consumers across the country are demanding that retailers split the bill amount in multiple bills for evading tax, resulting in long queues, wastage of paper and unnecessary hassles at billing counters.
To stop the spread of misinformation, RAI would like to clarify that as per GST laws, the above slabs do not exist. The slabs given in GST are based on individual product prices and not on total bill amount. Therefore, getting separate bills at supermarkets and hypermarkets will not help save tax.
Prices of groceries at supermarkets are inclusive of taxes. Taxes shown on cash memo are not additional, but already included in the selling price. They are mentioned separately on the bill in compliance with the GST law.
Retailers Association of India (RAI) has tied up with Reliance JIO-GST for introducing a simple secure GST compliance solution for Implementation of GST by retailers. Reliance JIO is one of the GST Suvidha Providers (GSP) and Jio-GST solution will assist retailers to maintain records, file GST returns and to comply with the provisions of GST law.
“GST is a giant step forward for India to create uniformity of taxes across the country. We know that its implementation is a complex process and all of us, in the industry, have to play our part for successful implementation of the Act. We, at RAI, believe that this welcome change has to be supported with an easy technological access for compliance. We are sure that JioGST will be able to support millions of retailers across the country to ensure hassle free compliance,†said Kumar Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer, RAI.
The Jio-GST is a mobile-first GST solution available for Rs. 1999 only, which is aimed at helping small retailers across the country to have a smooth transition to GST.
Features of JioGST -
1. JioGST Software Solution for 1 year
2. Unlimited Voice + 24 GB data for 1 year
3. A JioFi device
4. Empanelled Professionals, Billing App and much more To get GST Ready, retailers can register here
To get JioGST Starter Kit, they can dial 1800 200 2002 (press 2)
To know more about JioGST click here
The State Government of Gujarat has issued a notification exempting retail establishments in the state from weekly closure as mandated by the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, provided they comply with the statutory requirements laid down by the government in the notification.
The notification is valid for a period of two years. The Government has also allowed retailers to keep their stores open till 11 pm. Please click here to view the notification.
Various members had approached RAI to represent the issue to the State Government. Please click here to view the representation.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has renewed the notification exempting retail establishments in the state from weekly closure as mandated by the Shops and Establishments Act provided they comply with the statutory requirements laid down by the government in the notification.
The renewed notification is valid for a further period of three year starting from 23.03.2017
Please click here to view the renewed notification.
RAI had earlier represented the issue to the State Government requesting for the renewal. Please click here to view the representation.
RAI, on behalf of the entire retail fraternity, thanks the progressive State Government of Tamil Nadu for considering its submission and encouraging Ease of Doing Business in the state.
Government of Maharashtra has renewed the notification exempting retail establishments in the state from weekly closure as mandated by the Shops and Establishments Act provided they comply with the statutory requirements laid down by the government in the notification.
The renewed notification is valid for a further period of one year starting from 17.03.2017
Please click here to view the notification.
RAI had earlier represented the issue to the State Government. Acting on the representation, the Government issued a notification to that effect for a period of one year, which expired on 16.03.17. RAI then requested the State Government to renew the same.
RAI, on behalf of the entire retail fraternity, thanks the progressive State Government of Maharashtra for considering its submission.
Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended all the food businesses which deal directly with the consumers such as retail stores, milk booths, vegetable & fruit retail, meat shops, restaurants, street food vendors,etc. to keep Food Safety Display Boards (FSDBs) at their outlets.
The boards shall ensure visibility of FSSAI registration / license number and also inform the customer and the food handler about the important food safety and hygiene practices required to keep food safe. It shall also have the contact details of FSSAI and the Retailer regarding any concerns and feedbacks.
The requirement is optional for now. RAI had organized a National Workshop to drive Safe and Nutritious food agenda in food retail along with FSSAI in New Delhi wherein FSSAI has confirmed their intention of making the FSDB's mandatory.
Please Click here to download the format of FSDBs required for retail stores for you perusal.
FSSAI has requested RAI to spread awareness amongst all our members. Members are requested to support this initiative.
Please visit http://www.fssai.gov.in/home/safe-food-practices/food-safety-display-boards.html for more details.
The Central Government introduced 'The Model Shops and Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Services) Act 2016 (hereinafter referred as The Model Bill) on 29th June 2016 which has been one of the key asks of the Retailers Association of India for the overall benefit and growth of the Indian retail sector. The Model Bill is a progressive move by Shri Narendra Modi Government, since it enables states to choose to keep shops and other such establishments open 24×7 all through the year. This would give a substantial boost to employment generation and will also benefit the consumers in terms of more convenience and accessibility.
Subsequently, RAI started actively engaging and working closely with various State Governments for the adoption of the Model Bill.
The Government of Maharashtra has recently amended the Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Act 1948 in line with the Model Bill. The new bill - Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) 2017 was published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette on 7th September 2017 after receiving the assent of the Governor of Maharashtra this year and the notifications were issued on 19th December 2017. Click here to download the Maharashtra S&E Act 2017
SALIENT FEATURES of the new Act:
RAI welcomes the initiative taken by the Maharashtra Government and is committed to working with other state governments to ensure hassle-free adoption and believes that the new act will provide a big boost to ease of doing business in the state and assist the retail industry in Maharashtra to achieve new heights.
This is to invite RAI members comments / suggestions on the following matters -
The Department of Legal Metrology, Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued an advisory relaxing packaged commodities regulations for Garments, Hosiery products.
1. The department of Legal Metrology has issued an advisory dated 16th December 2016 to Legal Metrology controllers of all the states and union territories for enforcement of Legal Metrology (Packaged commodities) Rules 2011 for Garments, Hosiery products.
2. As per the advisory, the mandatory labelling requirement under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 are applicable only for pre – packaged commodities, defined under Section 2 (I) of Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
3. The mandatory labelling requirements for pre - packaged commodities are therefor not applicable for garments sold in loose form.
4. With effect from 1st July 2017, the labelling requirements for garments sold in loose form in retail stores may include only four declarations e.g. 1. Name/Description of the product, 2. Size: Internationally recognizable size indicators – S, M, L, XL etc. along with details in metric notion in terms or cm or m as case may be, 3. MRP, 4. Name, Full address & Customer Care No. of the manufacture.
5. In the case of readymade garments sold to consumer in Pre-packaged form, declarations required under the Rules may be made. Further, the size of the garments needs to be mentioned in metres or centimetres, as the case may be, and any detail such as S, M, L, XL, XXL etc. may be treated as additional declaration. Click here to download the notification
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