Srinagar, Sep 23: Kashmir Retailers Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted its recommendations and comments on the rolling out of E-Commerce Rules under Consumer Protection Act.
Ziraat Times here reproduces the letter submitted by the Association through Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, without any changes or editing:
Shri Narendra Modi
Hon’ble Prime Minister
Government of India
New Delhi
Respected Shri Modi Ji,
Subject : Rolling out of E Commerce Rules under Consumer Protection Act
At the outset, we would like to express our thanks & gratitude to you for taking various important steps leading to bring much desired reforms in the e-commerce sector in furtherance of your vision of “Atmnirbhar Bharat “ and “ Digital India” . We strongly align ourselves with this vision which will enable small traders to adopt digital commerce under Digital India program and thereby putting all efforts to establish supremacy of the law of the land and providing much needed even level playing field for all stakeholders and also in larger benefit of the consumers of India.
It is gratifying to note that the draft rules of e-commerce under Consumer Protection Act have been greatly welcomed by one and all barring few vested interest entities who are habitual critics of any reformative step of the Government.
As expected few organisations in the Country are bent upon creating roadblocks to ensure that reforms are derailed and the e-commerce sector should remain in the hands of few of the dictatorial forces. It is highly painful to observe that even Niti Aayog has also joined the chorus without realising the fact that to what level, the current e-commerce sector is greatly vitiated by some of the known global e-tailers through their mal-practices including huge violation of rules and laws. It is also regretted that before making comments, the Niti Aayog also forgotten to take note of the strictures passed by Delhi High Court and comments made by Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court on issues related to two prominent global e-commerce players. It also overlooked the fact that Competition Commission of India and Enforcement Directorate are investigating the business modules of these two global e-tailers. These few instances are enough to understand highly dilapidated condition of e-commerce business in India. If a body formed by the Government overlook these important aspects and make unnecessary comments, then certainly the trust for Government bodies among the people of India is bound to go down and will dent the image of the Government.
We are of the considered opinion that Niti Aayog was under obligation to assess as to the nature of necessity of bringing such e-commerce rules instead of making sweeping remarks. However, we are quite hopeful and assured that under your esteemed captainship, the e-commerce spectrum is bound to run in a democratic way and as such the e-commerce rules will see light of the day soon.
It is further submitted that the draft rules were brought after having due and extensive consultation number of times with all the stakeholders as per the participatory governance, a founding pillar of your vision and was also analyzed by different prominent Institutions of the Country. It is not out of place to mention that everyone has appreciated the intention and context of the draft e commerce rules and it is certain that after implementation of rules an even level playing field with ease of doing business shall be the crux of the e-commerce rules.
As per the announcement the last date of submission of objection on the draft ecommerce policy was 21st July, 2021 and since then more than one and half month has passed, we presume that by now the suggestions must have been studied. Therefore, in the wake of ensuing festive season of country, the traders across the Country are waiting for immediate rolling out of e-commerce rules so that thousands of e-commerce entities working all over the Country can conduct their businesses in a structured way by complying the stipulations of the rules which will also be in larger interest of the consumers of the Country.
We are sure that it will receive your kind attention and you will be pleased to direct the roll out of the said rules immediately without further loss of time. Meanwhile, we also urge you to implement E-Commerce Policy and a new press note in place of Press Note no.2 of the FDI Policy,2018.
Thank You. With kind regards
Farhan Kitab
Kashmir Retailers Association
