Govt tells industry to expect e-commerce policy soon, unveils core tenets

The government on August 2 held the final consultation with industry players like Flipkart, Amazon, Zomato, Swiggy, Tata, Reliance, Shiprocket, Meesho, industry bodies such as CAIT and others on the much-awaited e-commerce policy where officials said that the policy could soon be expected to be brought into force, according to people aware of the matter.

Core tenets of the policy like private labels, preferential treatment of sellers, deep discounting, marking the distinction between inventory-led e-commerce platforms and marketplaces and fallback liability on e-commerce platforms were discussed at the meeting, said sources.

"Some of the core tenets (discussed) include -- making customer front and centre, maintaining the distinction between inventory and market places, the thrust on incentivising digitisation of MSMEs, not having any allied logistics or payment operations, and whether there should be a fallback liability for e-commerce platforms or not. Further, preferred sellers/private labels belonging to e-commerce platforms would also come into question," said a source close to the developments.

"Further, preferred sellers/private labels belonging to e-commerce platforms would also come into question. There was a unanimous view that e-commerce policy and rules under the consumer protection act are needed soon because the industry is growing. Everyone assured they will abide by the law both in letter and spirit,"