No proposal to enact separate law to regulate e-commerce: Ram Vilas Paswan

NEW DELHI: Some instances of irregularity in the functioning of e-commerce have come to the government's notice, but there is no proposal to enact a separate law to regulate this emerging area, Parliament was informed today.

"There is no proposal for specific law/regulations for e -commerce industry," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The e-commerce activities come under the purview of different existing laws like Information Technology Act, 2000, Contract Law, Company Act, Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), Income Tax Act and Sales Tax Act and others, he said.

Quoting the Economic Survey-2014-15, Paswan said that inventory management, logistics planning and resources availability are important hurdles for online retail in India.

Asked whether instances of irregularities in the functioning of e-commerce have come to the notice of the government, Paswan replied in affirmative, "Yes Madam".

A complaint was filed with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by Mohit Mangalani, Mumbai, against five online retailers -- Flipkart India, Jasper Infotech Pvt ltd, Xerion Retails Pvt Ltd, Amazon Seller Services and Vector e-commerce Pvt Ltd -- alleging anti-competitive practices, he said.

"The complaint was investigated by the CCI and closed on the ground that prima facie no case of contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act is made against these companies," the minister added.

Asked if traditional retail chains have sought clarification on guidelines regulating e-commerce, Paswan said, "Associations representing the traditional retailers like Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Retailer Association of India have sought clarification on the guidelines for FDI in e-commerce. The FDI policy is being implemented by the Commerce and Industry Ministry."

Paswan said the e-commerce industry is expanding gradually in the country and is estimated to grow by over 50 per cent in the next five years as per the Economic Survey.