E-commerce will not affect small scale businesses: Piyush Goyal

Jaipur, Sep 12 (KNN) Union Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal has assured the small-scale businessmen that the era of e-commerce would not affect their trade and the importance of corner stores and small shops would only increase in the coming days as compared to big shopping malls.

While giving the examples of America and Europe, the Minister said the relevance of corner stores was increasing and big malls were becoming "unviable". Therefore, he said, small-scale businessmen should not have any concerns.

“The relevance of small shops would not lessen. In America and Europe, the number of corner stores is increasing, whereas, the big malls are being shut down. In the era of e-commerce, the relevance and importance of small shops would only increase," Goyal said at the 3rd Yuvak-Yuvti Parichay Sammelan of Shri Agrawal Parmarth Seva Samiti here in Jaipur.

He explained that the delegations come to the government to express concerns over the impact of supermarkets and e-commerce on small businesses. He said, “I do not see any concern because I understand that supermarkets are now becoming unviable and e-commerce will only benefit small businesses. Corner stores and shops will continue to be relevant.”

Goyal pointed out that as compared to supermarkets; goods purchased from small shops are cheaper. The customer not only has to pay more for the goods but also has to spend on parking, food etc. at the malls.

Further, he also said that crores of students are deprived of good education. “They are forced to drop out and work at farms. The reason behind this is that good people did not join politics. I want to provide electricity to every household. This too is a community service in a way,” he added.

He said in the coming years, the eastern states would get Rs 3.25 lakh crore from the auction of coal blocks and the money will be spent on public service and welfare of people. (KNN Bureau)