Case Law Details
Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association Vs The State of Maharashtra & Ors. (Bombay High Court)
1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.
2. It is the grievance of the petitioner association which is Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association that though various incentives are offered to hawkers and others during the pandemic crises by the State Government, no such packages has been announced for the retail traders. The petitioner has also made a separate representation to the Municipal Corporation for waiver of various taxes and for various exemptions. By letter dated 6th May, 2021, the Municipal Corporation has informed the petitioner that the proposal for cancellation of licences issued under section 313(1) (b) (c) has been submitted to the Legal Department for their opinion and the same is awaited. Regarding waiving of licence fees for sign board licence for name board (non commercial), no directives have been received from competent authority by the Superintendent of Licences, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and thus the request of the petitioner cannot be considered at this juncture.
3. One of the major grievance of the petitioner is that though under various SOPs issued by the State of Maharashtra including last SOP dated 13th April, 2021 and more particularly in clause 16, E-commerce is permitted only for supply of essential goods and services, various suppliers are supplying non-essential services also in gross violation of the said SOP dated 13th April, 2021. It is the case of the petitioner that though this violation is brought to the notice of the State Government, no action has been taken till date to stop this ongoing violation.
4. State Government is directed to file affidavit within two weeks from today and to indicate as to whether any incentives which were offered to the hawkers due to their sufferings during pandemic can be offered to the retail traders.
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