Govt does a U-turn, says e-tailers still barred from sale of non-essentials

In a U-turn, the ministry of home affairs on Sunday said e-commerce companies cannot sell non-essential items such as white goods, electronics and mobile phones from Monday, revoking an earlier decision to allow such sales as part of the guidelines issued on April 15. This means sale of non-essentials by e-tailers will remain prohibited till the lock-down is lifted. The sale and delivery of essentials such as groceries by e-commerce firms will, however, continue. Even brick and mortar stores will continue to sell such products.

“Government has prohibited supply of non-essential items through e-commerce under lockdown restrictions to fight COVID-19,” the MHA said in its revised guidelines issued on Sunday. Home secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to all chief secretaries of states and union territories, conveying the new decision.