Election blues: Govt's flip-flops on e-commerce policy are quite suggestive

New e-commerce norms are also a reflection of the BJP's growing concerns for both local traders and e-commerce firms

The government’s flip-flop on its policy on marketplace e-commerce companies seems to be an indication that the country is heading towards a general election and the power of lobbying by influential sections in the country would be on display more frequently in the coming days. Within weeks of its circular that barred marketplace e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Flipkart from entering into exclusive deals for merchandise sales, the government on Thursday clarified that those restrictions did not cover the sale of private-label products through the marketplace. 

With over 30 private labels covering more than 200 different categories under their