CAIT releases slew of recommendations for govt to include in e-commerce policy

New Delhi, Mar 15 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has released 27 recommendations for the Government to incorporate in e-commerce policy and 9 recommendations for the Consumer Protection (E Commerce) Rules, 2020.

Those recommendations are part of a white paper curated by CAIT on E-commerce to address the widely concerning issues in the realm of e-commerce.

The trade body announced the release of the white paper on Tuesday in New Delhi emphasizing on the protection of interests of all the stakeholders, including the sellers.

It is an in-depth study of the growing significance of digital trade & e-commerce, present market size of the sector and its future growth and increasing importance of e-commerce marketplace platforms.

Existing laws which deal with e-commerce sector and practices which are prevalent in the sector and also addressed in the White Paper.

While speaking at the release event, Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said, ”The White Paper examines the major issues pertaining to lack of platform neutrality, excessive discounting by platforms, unfair usage of data by platform to again undue competitive advantage, exclusive arrangement and launches, and mergers affecting the platform neutrality.”

He further said discussing the issues, we have suggested that e-commerce policy must address the concerns emanating from lack of platform neutrality, excessive discounting, unfair usage of data etc., and ensure that an inclusive approach is adopted for the industry.

“In order to ensure the same, we have also suggested that e-commerce should also have a specialized regulator which would be able promote and implement inclusive growth and ensure interests of all the stakeholders are protected,” he added.

CAIT has strongly argued that the marketplace should act purely as a trade intermediary and a place for the buyers and sellers to meet rather than engage in any kind of business for itself.

The White Paper has also recommended abolition of mandatory GST Registration for the sellers before selling goods online to enable small traders, artisans, craftsmen, karigars etc sell their products on e-commerce plaftforms. (KNN Bureau)