- A recent directive from the Indian government on the extended lockdown allowed the ecommerce platforms to deliver non-essential items as well, starting April 21.
- However, now the government has issued a new order that excludes ecommerce platforms from selling non-essential items from its revised guidelines that allow relaxation.
- As a result, you will not be able to order electronics, mobile phones and other such items till May 3, when the current lockdown is scheduled to be lifted.
On April 16, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued revised guidelines allowing e-commerce platforms to deliver non-essential items from April 21. The revised guidelines asked platforms to ensure strict social distancing.
Remarking on this, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said yesterday, “More than 40 lakh traders are supplying essential goods across India ever since the lockdown came into effect. Sidelining and ignoring them, the e-commerce companies have been allowed to deliver non-essential goods from April 20 onwards. It is a one-sided and unjust decision and against the larger interest of the traders and will create an imbalance in the country.”
“Today, we have written a letter to PM Modi, asking him to intervene in the matter and reconsider the decision," CAIT’s secretary-general Praveen Khandelwal said.
Indian e-commerce players Paytm Mall and Snapdeal welcome the move, saying they were already in talks with brands and their e-commerce partners.
You will have to wait two more weeks to buy mobile phones, electronics and more
Now that the government has prohibited Amazon, Flipkart and others from selling non-essential items, buyers will have to wait two more weeks before they can purchase mobile phones, electronics and other non-essential items.
Earlier today, Flipkart had notified its users about ordering TVs and other items. However, it has now removed those details from its app and its homepage after the Home Ministry’s order.
The lockdown is scheduled to be lifted on May 3. You will have to wait until then to buy these non-essential items.
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