Exemption Given to E-commerce Sites in Lockdown Revoked
The central government has prohibited the sale of non-essential items by e-commerce companies through its platform during the lockdown period. Four days ago, e-commerce companies were allowed to sell mobile phones, refrigerators and readymade garments etc., but now this exemption has been withdrawn. The nationwide shutdown is in force until May 3.
Earlier orders said that e-commerce companies will be able to sell these products from April 20. The order in this regard was issued by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday. It has removed the sale of non-essential products by e-commerce companies from the revised guidelines consolidated.
The order states that provisions relating to e-commerce companies in which their vehicles were allowed to travel with the necessary permission are being removed from the guidelines. However, the reason for the reversal of this order is not immediately known.
Earlier, after the ban was implemented in the country, the government had talked about ensuring the supply of essential goods. Keep in mind that these days ration and medical shops are open. On the other hand, home delivery of some essential goods is also being done.
The government had earlier allowed these 5 sectors to operate after 20th April :
1) Village and farming services
2) Construction in real estate sectors
3) Retail, e-commerce sites, grocery, ration
4) Industries manufacturing essential services
5) Data, cell centres and IT services
However, in a letter dated 19th April 2020 the ministry of home affairs revoked its order prohibiting all “e-commerce companies and vehicles used by e-commerce operators” to work with “necessary permissions”.
However, since no guideline is issued to any other sector who are allowed to work from 20th April, their functions will continue.
In India cases rise to 15,712; death toll rises to 507
According to data, the number of Covid-19 infected people worldwide has crossed 2 million. So far, the epidemic has killed 1,44,000 people worldwide. America is most affected by this. It has killed 35,000 people in the US and infected over 7,00,000 people.
Since the total of 1063 new cases reported in India in the last 24 hours, the number of people infected with the Covid-19 epidemic, including foreign nationals, has increased to 15,712 by Sunday morning in the country. The Ministry of Health has given information about this. The Ministry of Health, presenting the latest data in the morning said that a total of 12,969 Covid-19 are currently infected with the pandemic. A total of 2,232 patients who have recovered fully after treatment have been discharged from the hospital, while 507 people have died due to the epidemic.
