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- Published: April 19, 2020 15:24
New Delhi: The Centre on Sunday maintained that “Supply of non-essential goods by E-Commerce companies will remain prohibited during lockdown i.e. till May 3.
During the Lockdown 1.0 from March 24-April 14, the delivery of only essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals and medical equipments were allowed by e-commerce firms. However, in the Lockdown 2.0, the MHA had issued fresh guidelines allowing e-commerce firms to sell non-essential items also after April 20.
This prompted Congress to jump the gun and take potshots at Centre for its ill-preparedness in fight against Covid-19.
The MHA today issued fresh guidelines, saying that the supply of non-essential items by e-commerce companies will remain prohibited amid the nationwide lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid-19.
#IndiaFightsCorona
Supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies to remain prohibited during #Lockdown2 to fight #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/6Jdvuzw6VJ— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 19, 2020
Cong accused Centre of appeasing e-com firms
The clarification by the Ministry of Home comes on the back of Opposition training guns at the Centre and accusing it of appeasing the e-commerce giants at the cost of shopkeepers & kirana stores.
“The government’s decision to allow wider e-commerce services after April 20 will ruin the businesses and livelihood of 7 crore small shopkeepers, including 10 lakh in Haryana, “by giving monopoly to the e-commerce companies in selling non-essential goods but denying the same opportunity to the shopkeepers”, said Cong chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
Rajasthan & Maha govts show Cong doublespeak
Congress latched on the row over supply of goods by e-commerce firms and accused the Centre of benefiting big business firms but its own govts in Rajasthan & Maharashtra show how there exists mismatch in what the party preaches and does in own-ruled state. Clearly, the party’s stand on the issue stands on a shaky ground.
Both governments via official order said that e-commerce orders can sell and supply all kinds of products including essential and non-essential items. But, on the national level, party spokesperson have been targeting the Centre.
Rajasthan govt order
Maha govt order