No timeline fixed for release of e-commerce policy: Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI: Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that no timeline has been fixed to release the national e-commerce policy as e-commerce is a new subject.

“Since e-Commerce is a new issue, it has necessitated detailed consultations over the last few months to ensure that the policy is crafted in a manner that interests of all stakeholders are taken in to account. Therefore, no timeline has been fixed for release of the same,” Goyal told Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He said the draft National e-commerce policy seeks to create a facilitative regulatory environment for growth of e-commerce sector. It is aimed at empowering domestic entrepreneurs and to encourage Make in India while safeguarding interests of the consumers and facilitating job creation.

On February 23, 2019, the first draft of the National e-Commerce policy was placed in public domain for suggestions. Comments from over 120 stakeholders- companies both Indian and foreign, industry associations, think tanks, foreign governments were received. Post this, a series of meetings have been held with different stakeholders, including major e-commerce companies, start-ups, industry associations, think-tanks, academicians, data centre providers, logistics companies, export promotion councils to discuss the issues facing the sector and the provisions contained in the draft policy.

Goyal also informed the Lower House that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has introduced the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, which seeks to specify the flow and usage of personal data, defines sensitive data and aims to create a framework for organisational and technical measures in processing of data, laying down norms for cross-border transfer and accountability of entities processing personal data.

“The formulation of the National e-Commerce policy and the new Industrial Policy is under consideration of the government,” he said.

The proposed new industrial policy seeks to boost competitiveness and growth of the manufacturing sector in India. A working group has been constituted with representation from the Centre, states and industry associations. Inter-ministerial consultation is currently going on for framing the new Industrial Policy.

In a separate reply, Goyal said that 362 Indian products have been registered as Geographical Indicators as on March 10, 2020.