No supply of non-essentials by e-tailers in lockdown: Govt reverses stand

The govt had previously permitted e-commerce companies to also supply non-essential goods during the lockdown period till May 3

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs today reversed its earlier position of allowing e-commerce companies to supply non-essential goods as well. In its latest order, released on Sunday, April 19, the government excluded non-essential goods as part of revised guidelines for lockdown issued by the govt on April 15.
 

The move to allow e-commerce companies to supply both non-essential and essential goods during the extended national lockdown had faced strong opposition from brick and mortar retailers. 

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) welcomed the latest move.

Supply of non-essential goods by e-Commerce companies to remain prohibited during lockdown: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) pic.twitter.com/5wuB3mLXoT

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2020

E-commerce companies like Amazon and Flipkart, had reached out to the government seeking clarity on whether they would be allowed to sell non-essential items under the fresh guidelines that were issued on April 15.

The next day the government clarified that they were permitted to sell non-essentials as well. Today’s order reverses this decision.