Lok Sabha Question No. 296 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: e-Commerce Platforms on ONDC System
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 296.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 09 TH  AUGUST, 2023.

## E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS ON ONDC SYSTEM

## *296.  SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the details of the plans of the Government to increase the adoption of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) system by e-Commerce platforms;
- (b) whether the Government plans to force e-Commerce platforms to comply if they don't join the ONDC system;
- (c) if so, the details of such plans thereof;
- (d) the  plans  of  the  Government  to  increase  awareness  about  ONDC  among consumers;
- (e) the details of Indian businesses that have benefitted from the ONDC system and the details of increase in their revenue from usage of the system thereof;
- (f) whether  the  Government  plans  to  prioritize  the  growth  of  businesses  not affiliated with the ONDC system as online sales account for only 7 per cent of India's total commerce; and
- (g) if so, the details of such plans and the data on their implementation thereof?

## ANSWER वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री (श्री पीयूष गोयल) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (g):

A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 296 FOR ANSWER ON 09.08.2023.

- (a): The Government's endeavour is to increase the adoption of Open Network for         Digital Commerce (ONDC),  by  all  large  and  small  scale  enterprises,  to  facilitate efficient exchange  of goods and services. ONDC is not a platform, but a network meant to democratise digital commerce.

Various activities to increase the adoption of ONDC includes the following:

-  ONDC has conducted more than 25 awareness workshops in collaboration with various industry associations across the country to educate the small sellers and businesses  about  ONDC  and  its  benefits.  Multiple  joint  workshops  are  being organised in collaboration with RAI, PHDCCI, FICCI, NASSCOM, CII and FHRAI.
-  ONDC is working actively with various departments of all the States and UTs. Each  state/  UT  has  appointed  a  Nodal  Officer  to  accelerate  the  state  level engagements with ONDC. Various ONDC awareness campaigns and workshops are being organised across the country.
-  ONDC  has  launched  a  Feet  on  Street  (FoS)  program,  involving  90  FoS resources, to support the Network Participants (NPs) in identifying and educating sellers about the benefits of ONDC and how to join through Seller Applications, hand-holding support to sellers to onboard on  Seller Applications and creating a first-level basic catalogue.
-  ONDC  has  launched  an  Academy  which  is  a  repository  of  educational  and informative textual and video content. ONDC Academy will provide a curated learning experience providing guidance and best practices for a successful ecommerce journey for each and every participant of the ONDC network.
- (b) & (c): ONDC is based on the principle of voluntary participation and adoption.
- (d): ONDC is taking proactive measures to increase consumer awareness and encourage active participation on the network. ONDC is organizing joint promotion campaigns and workshops  in  collaboration  with  industry  associations  and  various  Central/State ministries/departments. The aim is to educate the consumers, about the benefits of ONDC,  its  impact  on  the  local  economy  and  the  significance  of  supporting  local businesses.
- (e): ONDC is a Protocol that enables Network Participants to efficiently exchange  goods and services. No such data is maintained by ONDC.
- (f) & (g): Government  of  India  has  undertaken  various  steps  to  prioritize  the  growth  of businesses in India, irrespective of whether affiliated to ONDC. This especially includes steps to improve ease of doing business and measures to reduce compliance burden.

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