As the government planned to allow certain relaxations in its lockdown advisory after April 20, E-commerce companies were aiming for a renewal of services. But in a surprising move, the government has made a U-turn and revised its order.
The government had recently released its lockdown guidelines, which allowed e-commerce companies to operate fully and even sell non-essential items to customers during the lockdown.
However, in a fresh statement, the ministry of home affairs said, “Supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies to remain prohibited during the lockdown.”
Although the terms “essentials” and “non-essentials” have not been defined clearly in the ministry’s guidelines, the current order means that consumers will still not be able to buy commodities like mobile phones, garments, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. online till the lockdown ends on May 3.
According to a report, retail traders had asked the government that local shops be also allowed to sell non-essentials items, like e-commerce giants, from April 20.
E-commerce platforms are allowed to sell essential commodities such as food, pharmaceutical and medical devices. “We will continue to operate in complete compliance with the guidelines issued by the government in this regard,” a Snapdeal Spokesperson said.
The new order which had the following clause — “Vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permissions” — is now excluded from the lockdown guidelines. The relaxation, which is now revoked, was given to e-commerce players in areas with no coronavirus hotspots.
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