Piyush Goyal highlights ‘troubling’ aspect of e-commerce boom

North News
Chandigarh, August 21

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed concerns about the rapid expansion of e-commerce in India, warning it could lead to significant social disruption and harm small traders. As per Money Control, speaking at the launch of a report on the “Net Impact of E-Commerce on Employment and Consumer Welfare in India,” Goyal highlighted the risks of the industry’s unchecked growth. He questioned whether it’s a point of pride that half of India’s market could become part of the e-commerce network in the next decade, suggesting instead that this development might lead to substantial societal issues.

Goyal also pointed out the decline of small retailers, particularly in the mobile phone sector, where major players like Apple have increasingly dominated the market. He questioned the sustainability of current e-commerce business models that often operate at significant losses, hinting at predatory pricing practices. The minister emphasized the need for technology to empower citizens and promote innovation, but also stressed the importance of ensuring that its benefits are widely shared across society.