Indian retailers seek government support amid second wave of Covid-19

By

Maverick Martins

Published
May 14, 2021

The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has sought urgent government support to help the retail industry fight the disruptions caused by the second wave of Covid-19.
 

Retailers have expressed fear that the extended lockdown across the country is making it difficult for them to survive which will result in job losses in the sector.
 
Apart from financial package, RAI also wants government to prioritise vaccination of the last mile workers (LMWs) in the retail industry.

Commenting on the current state of the retail industry, Kumar Rajagopalan, RAI chief executive officer in a statement said: “The Retailers Association of India believes that the two most important and immediate steps that can prevent this industry from collapsing are to prioritise vaccination of the last mile workers and to urgently provide financial support measures.”

 “Vaccinating the LMWs on priority is extremely important to curb the spread of the virus and safeguarding the interests of citizens. The retail industry in India has been in a perpetual paradox ever since the first set of restrictions began last year in March 2020. The businesses and the workforce in retail need to be cushioned by the government or the local authorities to ease off their hardships,” he added.
 
Retailers Association of India is an independent body representing the traders in the country.