Amazon India and Flipkart have asked the Indian for permission to sell non-essential items during the lockdown, highlighting the need for them amid the coronavirus pandemic. The e-commerce companies have promised to deliver these non-essential items safely, while maintaining social distancing measures. The sale of non-essential items has been banned on platforms since the lockdown was announced. Specifically, Amazon India said in a statement to NDTV : “Let e-commerce play its role in the common fight against the pandemic.” E-commerce offers the safest way for sellers/retailers to serve the needs of citizens, while ensuring social distancing. We are committed to keeping citizens safe and urge the government to allow e-commerce to play its role in the common fight against the pandemic, enabling the supply of all the goods people need during this period.” The company said that if they sell all these goods, they will help hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses survive.
Flipkart, in a statement, pointed out that e-commerce can help reduce the burden of accumulated inventory on small and medium-sized businesses and help deliver these products to consumers in a safe manner, while following the required safety.
For now, only essential goods such as food, medical equipment and medicines. There was also a discussion about expanding the list of essential items to include other items such as mobile phones, but the government did not agree to this and continued with the ban on the sale of all non-essential items. The Union Home Ministry said that sales by e-commerce companies will continue to be allowed only for essential products. At the same time, all shops located in residential areas, except commercial department stores, are allowed to reopen. Most e-commerce companies have been facing a lot of disruption in services and business since the lockdown was officially announced, which will, as it is said, be in force until May 3.
