CAIT, CCI discuss 'unethical competition' by e-comm firms

Traders' body CAIT on Friday said it has held discussion with the CCI on "unethical competition" perpetrated by e-commerce firms, a day after Union minister Piyush Goyal said the government was looking into alleged predatory pricing by Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon.

According to a statement issued by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), CCI Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta said it is committed to establishing a uniform and competitive business environment in the country and if anyone adopts unhealthy trading practices, influencing prices in any manner, the Commission will surely take action as per law.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal claimed that due to unethical commercial practices of Amazon and Flipkart, around 40,000 mobile shops are on the verge of closure by Diwali.

A delegation of CAIT met with the CCI Chairman and apprised him about how e-commerce companies are trapping the country's business in vicious cycle of unethical competition, CAIT said.

With regard to predatory pricing, Goyal on Thursday warned of stringent action as per the law for any violation and said detailed questionnaires have been sent to these companies and their response is awaited.