No exclusive regulator for e-commerce

New Delhi: The proposed e-commerce policy, which is under formulation, has no provision for setting up of an independent regulator for online retail platforms, a senior official said.

The official also said regarding data related issues, the e-commerce firms have to comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and the proposed policy will not cover that area. The proposed national e-commerce policy is in the final stages and no new draft will be issued now for seeking views of stakeholders as that exercise has been completed by the ministry.

“The ministry has to give a presentation of the proposed policy to the prime minister’s office. There is no plan to set up any regulator for the sector, at least not in the near future. As of now, it is not on the anvil,” the official, who did not wish to be named, said. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on August 2 held a detailed discussion with representatives of e-commerce firms and a domestic traders’ body on the proposed policy.