New Delhi: Displaying their anger and resentment against colonising E commerce market & Retail Trade of India, large number of traders today staged a day long Hunger Strike at about 500 cities across Country under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) demanding the Governmrnt to take immediate action against not only Amazon & Flipkart but also other e commerce companies working in transport, logistics, travel, home buying, consumer durables & other streams. “ We want Indian E Commerce market free from all glitches, unhealthy and unfair business practices and till Government take any action our national agitation will remain continue”- said Mr Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of CAIT
In Delhi a hunger strike was held at Jantar Mantar which was attended by large number of traders across Delhi & NCR region.
CAIT National President Shri B C Bhartia & Secretary General Mr Praveen Khandelwal said that being furious with the agitation of CAIT, both Amazon & Flipkart are now trying to build a narrative of being trader’s friendly and luring the small traders to come to their platform and they will make small traders big. It’s totally absurd since they already have lakhs of traders on their platforms and they should let Country know so far how many small traders have become big with their help. They are purely indulging into preferential seller system and more than 80% of their sales are made by just their 10-15 preferred sellers since last many years. The traders are not going to fall in their trap.
Both Mr Bhartia & Mr Khandelwal said that these companies are habitual economic offenders who have a mandate to control and monopolise the e commerce and retail business of the Country and it is very unfortunate that MSME Ministry has announced earlier to partner with these companies who are flouting FDI policy of the Government. 7 crore traders will strongly any such move of MSME ministry and will not let it happen.
The violation of FDI policy by Amazon & Flipkart on its e-commerce portals it is nothing but a deep rooted conspiracy of Amazon and Flipkart to enter into crony capitalism under the garb of bringing foreign investment which is being used for cash burning in maintaining predatory pricing and deep discounting, controlling inventory, having preferential seller system and exclusivity of products which is much against the mandate of Press Note No,2 of FDI policy 2016 which was later clarified in year 2018. Protesting traders said that it is a big conspiracy of Amazon and Flipkart to continue with their nefarious business policies which has resulted into great destruction and devastation of businesses of traders of the Country. business of the country. Large number of business establishments are closing across the country and therefore the Government should warn them either to comply with FDI policy in letter and spirit or wind up their business operations from India.How can anyone is allowed to continue business operations by indulging into brutal violation of the policy of the Government and law of the land-said CAIT.
Both Mr Bhartia & Mr Khandelwal said that both these companies are greatly indulging into huge losses of thousands crores of rupees of GST revenue by artificial lowering down the prices and by showing huge losses in their business, these companies are avoiding Income Tax liability have GST revenue of thousands of crores of rupees and therefore the CATI has urged Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Seetharaman to conduct an investigation on these serious charges of tax avoidance. Under the guise of FDI whatever investment they have received is used for cash burning which is also a serious matter and the CAIT has urged Union Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal to conduct an investigation into this aspect as also whether there is any violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) or other concerning laws.
Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal said that the Government must not forget that these Companies are subject to various investigations for their nefarious business model in various Countries and have also suffered with imposition of huge penalties for violation of laws which established them as habitual economic offenders who are in a habit of flouting the laws and destroy the indigenous business of any Country. The same principles are being applied in India by both Amazon and Flipkart.Now it is the time when the Government should take a serious note of this issue and take immediate necessary action. Justice delayed is Justice denied. However, the CAIT has appreciated the stance and deft statement of Shri Piyush Goyal on this issue wherein he has without mincing any word has expressed the intent of the Government several times both at national and international forums. ” We have great expectations from Mr. Piyush Goyal as he has understood the concerns of the traders and has committed several times that each one has to follow FDI policy in letter and spirit”-said Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal.
