The government has notified changing the name of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and has enhanced its role.
The notification has also included four new categories of responsibilities the renamed body will be in charge of, including the promotion of internal trade (including retail trade), the welfare of traders and their employees, matters relating to facilitating Ease of Doing Business, and matters relating to start-ups.
These are in addition to the previous responsibilities of the erstwhile DIPP relating to general industrial policy, administration of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951, industrial management, productivity in industry, and matters related to e-commerce.
The inclusion of the promotion of internal trade in the name and responsibilities of the body has been welcomed by the traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders.
“Long standing demand of CAIT [has been] accepted by the Government and retail trade is now under DIPP Ministry of Commerce,” CAIT said in a statement. “CAIT was making demand of Ministry of Internal Trade since last 10 years. With creation of the Department for Internal Trade, the way is paved for creation of a Ministry. Traders across country are pleased with the move. It’s a step which will bring retail trade in mainstream of the economy.”
