Fair trade regulator, The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has received a complaint against online retailers for indulging in alleged unfair business practices, commerce and industry minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
The information assumes significance as Flipkart’s ‘Big Billion Day’ sale on October 6, offering steep discounts on various products, had raised concerns among small and big traders that such campaigns would badly affect players in the traditional retail market.
Among others, traders body CAIT had demanded the commerce and industry ministry take steps to monitor and regulate online businesses.
The Confederation of All India Traders had also sought a probe into the business model and trade practices of e-commerce companies to find out how they are offering huge discounts in the ongoing festive season.
Replying to a separate question on national investment and manufacturing zones (NIMZs), she said in-principle approval was given to as many as 17 zones out which nine are located outside Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
NIMZs are conceptualised as integrated industrial townships of at least 50 sq km (5,000 hectares) with latest and modern infrastructure.