New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI) A committee under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) would be constituted to address grievances and provide necessary clarifications on issues related to FDI in e-Commerce, the Government has said.

The Government will also ensure that small retailers and kirana shops thrive in the country and is making all efforts to balance the interests of small businesses, retailers, kirana shop owners and e-Commerce companies, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said here on Monday.

Mr Goyal along with Ministers of State Hardeep Singh Puri and Som Parkash held an interactive session till late Monday evening with e-Commerce companies to discuss ways to bring about convergence of interests of e-Commerce platforms and small retailers.

The session was also an exercise by DPIIT to understand specific issues related to e-Commerce platforms, including sectors like services, food and used goods.

During the interaction, Mr Goyal said the e-Commerce policy is work in progress and assured that enough time will be given to all stakeholders to adapt to any changes that may be required.

“More importantly, the changes will be prospective and nothing will be implemented with retrospective effect,” he said and urged e-Commerce companies to always honor the spirit as well as letter of the law.

He said the Ministry will look at ways of facilitating sale of India’s handicraft and handlooms through e-Commerce platforms. He especially emphasised on export promotion through e-Commerce platforms.

The Minister was of the view that even as the interests of MSMEs and other small retailers are protected, India will continue to embrace technology and digitalisation to take the economy forward.

The meeting was attended by India’s Ambassador to WTO J S Deepak, Secretary, DPIIT Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Anup Wadhawan and senior officers of both departments.

Founders, CEOs and other senior executives of around 25 e-Commerce companies expressed their views in this interaction with Mr Goyal.

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