'Allowing e-commerce firms to deliver non-essential goods is unjust to traders': CAIT

Centre allowing e-commerce companies to deliver n-essential goods from April 20, while lockdown is still in force, is unjust and will discour more than 40 lakh traders dealing in essential commodities in country who catered to nation during lockdown phase, said Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary-General of traders Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

Speaking to media Khandelwal said, "More than 40 lakh traders are supplying essential goods across India ever since lockdown came into effect. Sidelining and igring m, e-commerce companies have been allowed to deliver n-essential goods from April 20 onwards. It is a one-sided and unjust decision and against larger interest of traders and will create an imbalance in country. Today, we have written a letter to PM Modi, asking him to intervene in matter and reconsider decision." 

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"When lockdown was anunced, se e-commerce companies had suspended ir operations. We want to kw today what is necessity for which y have been given permission. We have objection if y are given permission to provide essential services but why n-essential goods," he added.

He also said that People's Bank of China (PBOC) raising its stake in HDFC Bank was a bad move for India. "This is alarming, I do t kw why are we allowing China to invest in one of our strongest banks. So in a way, China always tries to capture Indian ecomy, earlier it was through flooding markets with its goods and w it is trying to interfere in our banking sector," Khandelwal said.

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Congress reacts

Earlier, Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken too had questioned move by Centre allowing delivery of n-essential goods and had demanded a level-playing field for retailers.

"While ir shops are locked down for last one month, ir main competitors are open and have been allowed to sell n-essential items online. This is an injustice to retailers and government should t allow this," Maken said on Twitter.

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MHA issues guidelines

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a set of detailed guidelines for extended Coronavirus lockdown that will remain in force till May 3. Among ors, new guidelines state that  digital ecomy is critical to services sector and is important for national growth.

"Accordingly, e-commerce operations, operations of IT and IT-enabled services, data and call centres for Government activities, and online teaching and distance learning are all permitted activities w," guidelines say. 

objective of revised guidelines is to consolidate gains achieved during 1st phase of lockdown and furr slow down spread of COVID 19 and at same time provide relief to farmers and labour and daily w earners.

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(With ANI inputs)