Andhra Pradesh becomes first state to unveil retail policy

Andhra Pradesh becomes first state to unveil retail policy

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced its retail policy — the first state to do so. It offered greater flexibility in labour laws pertaining to working hours for ease of doing business in the retail sector.

The state has included food and grocery retail enterprises under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to dissuade strikes. It has also declared distribution centres and warehouses of retail enterprises as public utilities under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, to prevent flash labour strikes. The state, which currently accounts for nearly 8% of India's total retail market of 13 million stores, hopes to attract at least Rs 5,000 crore investment by 2020.