During the current lockdown, only essential items like medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and food were being allowed to be delivered. After the commitment of the e commerce companies to maintain social distancing and take all precautions, the government is considering the sale of non-essential items too, keeping in mind the plea made by both these e -commerce big players that people will now be eventually needing non -essential goods too.
Amazon India has requested the permission of the government to allow e-commerce to play its role in helping out in a joint fight to battle the Covid-19.
E- Commerce they said was the safest way to offer social distancing an help the citizens with their needs beyond the essential goods which people may need. The company went on to add that they were aware of the precautions in terms of social distancing to be maintained and would take extreme care to comply. They were committed to keeping the citizens safe they said. This start of non -essential goods they said would help small businesses start their livelihoods.
The burden of the piled up inventory of MSMEs would also be eased. These products would reach the customers safely and securely said Flipkart.
However the government till date has mentioned that the current lockdown does not permit the sale of nonessential items.
Currently all delivery agents who handle the supply of essential goods have to obtain a permission from the individual state governments to operate.
The MHA had clarified in its earlier order immediately after the lockdown that e commerce companies would be allowed to sell only essential items.
“It is clarified that sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only,” said MHA in order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A). This means the e-commerce firms won’t be able to take orders for non-essential items or deliver them.
