Team Blitz India
INDIA is going to come out with a National E-commerce Policy soon which is likely to revolutionise its digital economy.
With the e-commerce industry projected to reach a valuation of USD $99 billion this year, the government’s comprehensive regulatory framework seeks to safeguard operations and enhance consumer protection, data privacy, and fair competition.
The draft policy, which has been under deliberation for months, mandates e-commerce firms to ensure equality and transparency for sellers on their platforms. This comes amidst criticism against the business practices of online giants like Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart, who have faced accusations of flouting federal regulations — charges they have denied.
A Reuters special report accused Amazon of preferentially treating a small group of sellers to bypass investment rules, a claim the company refutes, asserting fair and non-discriminatory treatment of sellers.
The policy will be a gamechanger, aligning with national initiatives like Make in India and Digital India. It outlines a vision for holistic growth in the e-commerce sector, focusing on data as a national asset, empowering small firms and startups with ‘infantindustry’ status, and emphasising consumer protection.
The policy also seeks to stimulate the domestic digital economy, enhance infrastructure, and promote exports through e-commerce, while addressing data localisation to benefit Indian businesses and citizens.