No Proposal Under Consideration to Regulate E-Commerce: Ram Vilas Paswan

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said that there is no proposal under consideration to regulate e-commerce business in the country.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, he also said the government has initiated investigation on the basis of formal complaints alleging unfair trade practices including fraudulent schemes by online retailers.

"There is at present no proposal under consideration for regulation of e-commerce in the country," Mr Paswan said.

"There have been formal complaints submitted to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under Ministry of Corporate Affairs against unfair trade practices including fraudulent schemes by online retailers on which investigation has been initiated," he added.

In reply to a separate query, Mr Paswan said the e-commerce companies are liable for paying income tax like any other company engaged in trading.

"Appropriate action against tax evasion, including tax evasion by e-commerce, is allowed under direct tax laws covering searches, surveys, enquiries, assessment of income, levy of taxes, penalties etc and filing of prosecution complaints in criminal courts wherever applicable," he added.

Replying to another query on direct selling, Mr Paswan said there is at present no separate legislation for regulating of direct selling industry and they come directly under the purview of Prize Chits Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.