New Delhi (NVI): The Government today decided to keep the supply of non-essential goods by E-commerce companies prohibited during the extended lockdown, as it revised its April 15 guidelines issued in this regard.
In its earlier order, MHA had said that e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart will be allowed to deliver all kinds of goods, including phones, laptops, TV, fridge, etc in non-hotspot areas. The April 15 order had said that deliveries must follow the Centre’s guidelines and other norms by states.
However, the latest MHA order by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that sub-clause (v) under Clause 14 on Commercial and private establishments stating that- “E-commerce companies. Vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permissions” – is excluded from consolidated revised guidelines.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), has welcomed the latest move by the Government. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal lauded the MHA notification for withdrawing permission to E-Commerce companies for supplying non-essential goods during the lockdown.
CAIT Secretary General @praveendel applauding Home Ministry Notification for withdrawing permission to E Commerce for deal in non essential goods @BCBHARTIA @sumitagarwal_82 @narendramodi @PiyushGoyal @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @HardeepSPuri @AimraIndia @AICPDF @aitwaho pic.twitter.com/PmSrKnPZSi
— CAIT (@TEAMCAIT) April 19, 2020
Earlier, the Government had announced a 21-day lockdown from March 25 to April 14. The nationwide lockdown was further extended by 19 days till May 3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to effectively fight COVID-19 which has claimed more than 500 lives in the country so far.
