Government To Build E-Commerce Platform For Small Shopkeepers, Preparations To Add 7 Crore Retailers To The Portal
Between the corona crisis and the lockdown, the government is set to create an e-commerce portal to maintain the supply of goods across the country. Under the scheme of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DPIIT), the Ministry of Commerce and the Confederation of All India Traders (CAT), the target is to connect around 7 crore, retail traders, across the country with the help of this portal.
CAT mentioned that the portal will be launched in collaboration with companies and startups working in DPIIT’s supply chain. On this, the local grocery stores will take orders online and deliver the goods to the customers. This national campaign includes Startup India, Invest India, All India Consumer Product Distributors Federation and Avana Capital.
The aim shall be on placing orders together with product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers on the portal. CAT General Secretary, Praveen Khandelwal, said that currently there are many challenges in the supply of goods in Tier 2 and 3 cities of the country. The government has taken this step only to reach these consumers dependent on local grocery stores.
Micro, Small and Medium Industries (MSME’s), Minister Nitin Gadkari, mentioned that the arrears of Rs 1 lakh crore will be paid soon to the sector. The government is working on creating a fund for this. This amount is owed to industries owned by the central and state governments. He said that the scheme will be sent to the cabinet for approval as soon as it gets the green signal from the finance ministry. It will also include banks with a paying unit and a payee unit.
Startup India, a government platform that creates an environment for startups across the country, is seeking applications from aspiring entrepreneurs. Preference will be given to entrepreneurs who have adequate facilities for technology, payment and logistics. Applications can be sent to [email protected] or contact toll-free number 1800115565 from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
