Pune, Nov 24 (UNI) The Pune District Retail Traders on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene immediately into Amazon's alleged illegal activities on its e-commerce platform.

This has come close on the heels of all-India traders body, the Confederation of All India Traders, accusing Amazon of selling chemicals used for making improvised explosive devices used in the 2019 Pulwama attack and demanded to take stern action against the online retailer for alleged sale of marijuana.

"We wish to invoke your kind and immediate attention to one of the most sensational and illegal issues that has come to light, which is the sale of marijuana drug through e-commerce portal of US-based company Amazon. The racket, which has been busted by Madhya Pradesh Police recently," said PDRT chief Sachin Dinkar Nivangune.

To buttress his claim, he said in an operation on November 20, the MP Police had recovered 17 kg marijuana in Bhind district of the state.

Also, on a tip-off from MP Police, the Vishakhapatnam Police had seized 48 kg marijuana, he said and added that in both the instances, it was sold through the e-commerce portal of Amazon.

After investigation, the MP Police had made executive directors of Amazon as accused in this case, he pointed.

Furthermore, it was also discovered that the chemicals used for making bombs that were used by terrorists in Pulwama attack, causing death of 40 CRPF personnel, were also sourced from e-commerce portal of Amazon, he said.

It has been also reported that some of the chemicals bought through Amazon were prohibited in India, he noted.

"We regret to bring to your kind notice that in spite of a clear cut case having sufficient evidences, so far no action has been taken against the company which is deeply involved in all such illegal activities. It is a clear mockery of the concerned laws," Nivangune said.

"In addition, it is also to be brought to your kind knowledge that the current business practices of these e-commerce players are indulging into high volume of tax evasion and has caused loss of GST (goods and service tax) revenue to both the Central and the state governments," he claimed.

Despite drawing attention of the Ministry, no step has been taken by the Finance Ministry to check such evasion, he said.

The foreign funded e-commerce companies are continuously violating the FDI policy and rules, but the concerned authorities have taken no initiative to even check the alleged violations, what to say of taking any action, he added.

"In view of the lack-lustre approach of the administrative system towards such serious issues which have greater ramifications on the country's security and retail trade in India, we have been compelled to request for your immediate direct intervention in the matter and direct the concerned officials to arrest officials of the Amazon and register a case of treason against Amazon, as per laws," Nivangune said and demanded that no exceptional treatment should be given to companies like Amazon.

"We also request you to direct the Consumer Affairs Ministry to notify e-commerce rules pending since a long time and a direction to the Ministry of Commerce to release e-commerce policy and a fresh press note replacing press note no 2 of the Foreign Direct Investment policy. We are sure that it will receive your kind and immediate attention and you will be pleased to take necessary action," he added.

UNI SP SS RJ