Traders’ Body Hails 10-Minute Delivery Ban, Citing Safety Of Gig Workers

New Delhi, Jan 15 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has welcomed the Central government’s decision to ban 10-minute delivery services offered by quick commerce platforms.

The traders’ body described the move as timely and forward-looking, stating that it prioritises the safety and lives of delivery personnel.

CAIT said the decision reflects the government’s sensitivity towards the working conditions of gig workers and addresses long-standing concerns linked to ultra-fast delivery models.

CAIT noted that it has been raising concerns for several years about what it describes as the unsafe and unregulated expansion of quick commerce. According to the organisation, delivery timelines such as 10-minute promises place excessive and unsafe pressure on delivery workers.

During the Monsoon Session of Parliament in 2024, CAIT’s National Secretary General and Member of Parliament, Praveen Khandelwal, raised the issue in Parliament. He also introduced a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete ban on dark stores, citing their impact on urban planning, local traders and delivery worker safety.

The organisation said it continued to highlight these issues through public platforms. In April 2025, CAIT held a national press conference in New Delhi to draw attention to what it termed the adverse effects of quick commerce and e-commerce models.

Later, in October 2025, CAIT submitted a detailed representation to the Central Government, pointing to alleged legal violations by certain platforms, lapses in labour safety norms and concerns over the treatment of delivery personnel.

CAIT said the government’s decision addresses concerns over platforms distancing themselves from responsibility in the event of accidents involving delivery workers. It added that the ban is an important step towards improving accountability and discipline within the quick commerce sector.

The organisation also said the move reinforces its view that structural reforms are required in the sector, rather than limited or short-term measures.

(KNN Bureau)