Lok Sabha Question No. 220 (STARRED), answered on 2015-08-04
Subject: Regulation of e-Commerce
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SULTAN  AHMED, V. PANNEER SELVAM

**Government of India**

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

**Department of Consumer Affairs**

**LOK SABHA**

##### STARRED QUESTION NO. *220

##### TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2015

**REGULATION OF E-COMMERCE**

*220. 	SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

SHRI V. PANNEERSELVAM:

**Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:**

(a) 	whether the market for e-Commerce is gradually growing in the country and if so, the details thereof indicating the value and growth of the sector during the last three years and the current year;

(b) 	whether instances of irregularities in the functioning of e-Commerce have come to the notice of the Government, if so, the details thereof indicating the number of complaints reported during the said period and the action taken thereon;

(c) 	the factors hindering the growth of e-Commerce in the country along with the remedial action taken by the Government to remove such hurdles and boost the sector;

(d) 	whether the Government proposes to enact any legislation for regulating and development of e-Commerce in the country, if so, the details and the present status thereof; and

(e)	whether the traditional retail chains have sought clarification on guidelines regulating e-Commerce, if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

**ANSWER**

**miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=ky; ea=h**

**¼Jh jke foykl ikloku½**

**THE MINISTER OF**

**CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION**

**(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)**

(a) to (e) :  	 A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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**STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*220 FOR 04.08.2015 REGARDING REGULATION OF E-COMMERCE.**

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(a) 	:	Yes Madam. However no official data on year wise growth of the e-Commerce sector is available. As per the latest Economic Survey-2014-15, India’s e-Commerce market is expected to grow by more than 50% in the next five years.

(b) 	:	Yes Madam. A complaint was filed with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by Mr. Mohit Mangalani, Mumbai against five Online retailers i.e. M/s Flipkart India Pvt Ltd., M/s Jasper Infotech Pvt Ltd., M/s Xerion Retails Pvt Ltd, M/s Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd. and Vector e-commerce Pvt Ltd. alleging anti-competitive practices. 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 out against these companies.

(c) & (d) :  	According to Economic Survey-2014-15, inventory management, logistics planning and resource availability are important hurdles for online retail in India. There is no proposal for specific law/regulations for e-Commerce industry. These 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/Sales Tax Act, etc.

(e)	  :	Associations representing the traditional retailers like Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Retailer Association of India have sought clarification on the guidelines for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in e-Commerce. The FDI policy is being implemented by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

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