New Delhi: The Centre said on Wednesday that there is no proposal at present for setting up a regulator for e-commerce.
Earlier this year a task force headed by commerce secretary had recommended that a national regulator for e-commerce and mandatory data localisation. The regulator was supposed to ensure consumer protection and compliance with foreign investment caps in e-commerce.
The government had indicated it aims to remove the legal fragmentation governing the e-commerce sector through a single law.
The Centre in a reply in the e-commerce on Wednesday said that e-commerce activities are governed by a number of Regulations and Acts of the government.
It said that Information Technology Act 2000 provides legal recognition for the transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication.
It pointed out that e-commerce companies have to comply with the Companies Act, 2013.
“Such companies with FDI can operate only in activities which are specifically permitted. Any violation of FDI regulations are covered by the penal provisions of the FEMA. RBI administers the FEMA and Directorate of Enforcement under the Ministry of Finance is the authority for the enforcement of FEMA,” said MoS (commerce and industry) C.R. Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Further, he said that activities of e-commerce companies involve compliance of shops and establishments act of the state concerned.
The minister said that National Consumer Helpline has been set up by the Department of Consumer Affairs to receive complaints from consumers.
It has partnered with some firms to resolve the complaints received by it.
This is the alternate grievance redressal method, and is a completely voluntary initiative taken up by these companies.
Further, the Bureau of Indian Standards has a consumer affairs department to provide consumers with prompt attention and speedy redressal of their grievances lodged regarding quality of BIS certified products.
