Deadline to submit comments on draft e-commerce bill extended to July 12: Centre

The Centre has extended the deadline for submitting comments and suggestions on the proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, till July 21. Earlier, the deadline was set for July 6, Tuesday.

"It has now been decided to extend the timeline for receipt of comments/suggestions on the Draft E-Commerce Rules," said a notification by the Department of Consumer Affairs on Monday. As per the new draft regulations, no e-commerce entity shall allow any display or promotion of misleading ads on its platform or otherwise. The draft regulations also prohibit flash sales, and every e-commerce shall need to establish an adequate grievance redressal mechanism considering the number of grievances usually received from India. They will also have to appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, a Resident Grievance Officer and a nodal contact person in the country.

Amidst several demands for a deadline extension, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) urged the government to not extend the deadline. CAIT has been at the fore of the fight for a "level playing field" for offline traders.