Government to introduce national ecommerce policy soon to improve regulations

New Delhi, July 7 (KNN) In order to keep a check on e-commerce companies, an inter-ministerial group on Friday has decided to broaden the definition of e-commerce to include any buying, selling, marketing, distribution and delivery of goods and services through electronic means and will come out with a single legislation for e-commerce.

According to a media report, to provide temporary relief to address the misuse of the policy, government proposes to create a special group to keep tabs on any violation of its foreign policy on parts of online retail platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Myntra while the government prepares a national policy on e-commerce to improve regulation of the sector.

The separate wing comprising officials from the industry department and the Enforcement Directorate will handle any violations, strengthening the implementation and enforcement of the guidelines.

The separate wing will be a transient measure to enforce the existing policy and handle any grievance related to the implementation of Press Note 3,” media report quoted.

Press Note 3 details the guidelines for foreign investment in ecommerce which includes explicit definitions of e-commerce, e-commerce entity, inventory based model of e-commerce and marketplace based model of e-commerce.

The discussion took place on the misuse of Press Note 3 and how it can be prevented. Its stronger implementation and enforcement of the press note was taken up.

The group also decided to set up a regulator to deal with broader aspects such as FDI implementation issues, full disclosure of intent, use and purpose of data collection by ecommerce companies, consumer protection, central registry and promotion of domestic companies. 

Thus, in this regard cabinet note will be prepared for a decision by government.