E-commerce companies have told the DIPP that discounts on their platforms are being offered by sellers, who are free to run such schemes both on online and offline mediums, a senior official said on Monday.
“E-commerce companies have been telling us that the discounts are being given by the sellers and brand owners, and when they come out with advertisements, they also make a disclaimer,” said Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ramesh Abhishek, on the sidelines of an Amazon conference.
The comments come amid controversy over advertisements on discounts in online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal. Offline players, including traders body CAIT (Confederation Of All India Traders), have in the past raised concerns over these discounts, alleging they infringe the e-commerce guidelines. As per DIPP guidelines, e-commerce marketplace players cannot directly or indirectly influence the sale price of goods or services on their platforms and shall maintain a level-playing field.
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