Research Areas

Research Paper on Toy Retail

The past 18 months have been very eventful for the Toy Industry with many regulatory changes that aim at increasing the quality and safety of toys sold in the country and at the same time to ramp up local production to fulfil a growing local demand. In this new regulatory context and due to the COVID-19 pandemic international travel limitations and impacts on global supply chains, local retailers have very little /no inventory of toys to sell through 2021 and the upcoming festive season in India: this is because the stock keeping units (SKUs) manufactured outside of India are not able to reach the Indian Market.

This has had a significant adverse impact on the businesses and livelihood of small retail traders and MSMEs. The global toy manufacturers are wary that policy uncertainty in the light of recent regulatory amendments might create a long-term vacuum for availability of toys and the Indian children might be deprived of the latest innovation and wholistic basket of quality toys. Moreover, lack of a transition plan and a timely implementation of alternative solutions to overseas physical audits (as mandated under current regulations of BIS, FMCS) are creating supply chain gaps, shortages of inventory & permanent job losses in MSMEs and retail traders.

WALLED CITY & WALLED CITY AND ITS EXTENSION & KAROL BAGH

SECTORS BEING PERMITTED TO OPERATE IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN THE CITY AS PER MCD 2041

In order to reduce/ control the Pollution levels in Delhi NCT, it is suggested to promote Non-Industrial activities in existing as well as in proposed new industrial estates as per MPD – 2041.

Non-industrial/ commercial activities that are being categorized and allowed as per MPD 2041 should be promoted and incentivized as

they fast track the transformation of the current industrial areas to non-polluting areas. On the lines of 54 sectors already permitted to

operate in the Industrial areas such as service based sectors, IT etc., Banquet halls should also be added to the category and should be allowed to operate in these areas.

High Conversion and FAR charges are the main obstacles/ hurdles that are not allowing the positive development of the Industrial areas from

polluting to non-polluting areas. The main aim of MPD 2041 is to better utilize current infrastructure, create better and new infrastructure,

reduce pollution and overall improve the entire Delhi NCT area.

MIXED USE IN URBAN VILLAGES AND UNAUTHORISED COLONIES

In MPD-2021, No Streets was notified under Mixed Use Regulations in Rural Villages. But at that time too many roads qualify to be notified as Commercial. But as it was not allowed in Rural Villages so the department couldn’t notify the same. Then came the NCT of Delhi Law (Special Provisions) Act which saved

these shops in rural area from Sealing.

Then on 21-11-2019 vide notification, 79 Rural Villages were been converted to Urban Villages. Now around 25,000 shops existing in these Urban Villages

qualifies to be declared under Mixed Use Regulation.

But the Draft of MPD – 2041 refrains from further notification of Roads.

PRE-1962 COLONIES & REHABILITATION COLONIES

There is a list of colonies in MPD – 2021 as well as in Draft MPD – 2041 title List of Pre-1962 colonies & Rehabilitation Colonies

There are few Colonies which were developed by private developed DLF in 1952-1958 such as South Extension, Green Park,

Greater Kailash. The name of these colonies have been left in the list published in the MPD’s.

Many Evidences / Proofs / Court cases are available that proved these colonies were developed

prior to 1962 and therefore the benefits of being Pre-1962 should be given to these colonies

MIXED USE CHAPTER / RETAIL SHOP IS MISSING IN DRAFT - 2041

This clause talks about Three types of Non-residential activities… -

a. Professional ;

b)  Other Activity

Where is the Third type ?

SUGGESTION –

THE THIRD TYPE OF ACTIVITY IS RETAIL SHOPS AND OFFICES WHICH HAS

BEEN OMITTED FROM MPD – 2041. WE SUGGEST THAT THE SAME

CHAPTER 15.0 SHALLED BE INCORPORATED IN MPD – 2041.

ALREADY NOTIFIED 351 STREETS

As per the provisions given in the Mixed use regulations, for the notification of commercial / mixed use street , in areas that have not been surveyed or have been surveyed but streets

have not been notified pursuant to notification dated 07/09/2006, local bodies shall be required to carry out within a reasonable time of notification coming into force,and with due expedition ,

and not later than 90 days , a survey of all streets of the mentioned width,if not already done , with a view to identifying stretches of such streets as commercial / mixed use streets.

After survey and Identification, notification of commercial/mixed use streets to be issued by the Urban Development Department GNCTD.

According to the provisions of Master plan Delhi- 2021, identification of 351 roads was done by the local body, but till date the notification of such roads as commercial /

mixed use has not been done.

Research Paper on SUGGESTIONS & OBJECTIONS IN MPD - 2041

1.NOTIFIED 351 ROADS SHALL BE INCORPORATED IN MPD-2041

2.MIXED USE CHAPTER / RETAIL SHOP IS MISSING IN DRAFT   2041

RESURVERY OF ALL ROADS UNDER MIXED LAND USE.

3.SMALL SHOPS –

a.To increase the size of Small Shop from 20 Sq. Mtr. to 50 Sq. Mtr.

4.PRE-1962 COLONIES –

a.Inclusion of Colonies like South Extension, Green Park, Greater Kailash which were developed prior to 1962 should be

included in the List provided at Annexure 13 of Draft MPD-2041.

5.DDA FLATS -

ENTIRE GROUND FLOOR OF DDA FLATS ON MIXED USE/COMMERCIAL STREETS SHALL BE ALLOWED .

Research Paper on Ease of Doing Business under GST

At the outset we are thankful to the government and the GST Council, for taking various measures in the GST Law in the last four years since its implementation as on 01/07/2017. We congratulate and are grateful to the Government for taking steps for the simplification of GST and easing of compliances in the GST regime as per the recommendations of the GST Council. Significant decisions were taken on the GST rate on multiple products as and when the trade approached and especially  during the COVID pandemic for granting relief to the taxpayers in 43^rd GST Council meeting. We appreciate that the Government has reduced GST late filing fees permanently and also announced GST Amnesty Scheme for July 2017 to April 2021, by reducing GST late filing fees to Rs. 500/- and Rs. 1000/- as the case may be and reducing the tax rates on various healthcare and related products.  

 However, there are still many issues which were raised a number of times but till date they are not addressed. If the issues are not addressed at earliest many business houses will close down which would result in unemployment and will affect GST collection adversely. This is evident from the GST collection falling below 1 lakh crores in the month of June 2021.

Research Paper on Government Notification of 2nd July for imposing Stock Limit on Pulses

Notification issued by Ministry of Consumer Affairs imposing a condition of stock limit of Pulses of 200 M/T for the Wholesalers and 5 M/T for the Retail Traders engaged in the business of the pulses. 

The above said notification is discriminatory and stands against the normal business practices of pulses trade in the Country. It is regretted that while issuing the notification, no consultation was held by the concerned officials with the stakeholders. We rely on the following points : 

1. There are about 5 lakh traders conducting business in food grains across the Country and providing employment to more than 23 lakh people mainly to uneducated class which is required for loading and unloading of the goods. About 5 lakh people also derive their livelihood indirectly from the food grain trade. 

2. here is a annual production of about 256 lakh tonnes of pulses in the Country and about 2o lakh Tonnes of pulses are imported every year from different Countries. 

3. In September,2020 the Government has announced that Essential Commodity Act or stock limit will be enforced only when the price of the pulses will be either 50% higher than the MSP or there is an emergency situation in the Country. 

4. Through a notification in 2017 it was made mandatory that stock limit of 6 types of pulses, “ Masoor, Chana, Tur, Urad, Moong and Kabli Chana will be uploaded on the portal of the Government which is being duly complied by the traders.

Research Paper on Corona Virus : Currency Notes may carry infection

In the wake of ongoing Corona virus pandemic and other infectious diseases, the mass circulation of currency notes which are being used for any purchase or sale in the market is very harmful. It is important to clarify whether currency notes are a potential carrier for viruses including Covid or Various credible studies have revealed that currency notes carry major risk of containing various virus which may lead to number of infectious diseases. In the wake of current Corona virus and for other precautionary reasons, we have requested Govt. for an early clarification.

It is in the public domain that The currency notes are most vulnerable to health of people and are easy carrier of communicable diseases and as such a proper investigation is all the more needed and the Government should bring out a comprehensive policy to promote alternative mode of payments including digital payments coupled with incentives and benefits to encourage more and more people for adoption and acceptance of alternate mode of payments in the larger interest of health of the Countrymen.

 We would further like to add that corona virus is an infectious disease which may spread by close contact of any person infected with such virus. Even if due precautions are taken, yet avoidance of cash usage can not be avoided and as such it becomes one of the most easy carrier for spreading any virus. Therefore, immediate steps should be taken to check spreading of any virus through currency notes.

It’s a fact that currency notes carry micro-organisms that can cause diseases and infections. Experts have warned that several diseases, including urinary and respiratory tract infections, skin infections and recurrent meningitis, are being transmitted through currency notes. They can also contribute to causing septicaemia and toxic shock syndrome.

Research Paper on Food Safety and Standards

Government pertaining to amendments made in the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Foods and Novel Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2020, which is expected to notify anytime soon.

Much of these proposed changes have been incorporated without due process of public consultation. The amendment in question will have important bearings on the manufacturing process of substantial numbers of small manufacturers and the traders who are selling such products ,it is requested that the implementation date of the aforesaid notification may be deferred and the trade associations whose members are dealing in such products may be given an opportunity to place their views and as also to evaluate economic impact on the sellers, on the same for your kind consideration.

Several member trade organizations and MSMEs in different States of the Country have informed us that this decision has been taken without adequate consultation especially with MSMEs. In this COVID situation, livelihoods are already precarious, and such a step could lead to further economic stress. Further, these products are sold off the shelf as well by micro-entrepreneurs, and this sudden decision puts their livelihoods at risk, and could involve over 10 lakh livelihoods. Moreover, this step would render daily-use products unavailable for consumers which are relying to fulfill their nutrient requirements and physiological needs.