At a time when the trend of online shopping is slowing gaining momentum in the state, the traders’ community see foul play in this emerging sector. E-commerce will slowly wipe them out from the field, the traders fear.
Numerous traders have teamed up under the banner of various trade organisations and are planning state-wide agitations to prevent a probable wipe out.
As a beginning, the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti has placed the issue of online sales on its agenda for the state secretariat meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday in Thiruvananthapuram.
Moving along the same lines, another trade organisation, the Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti is planning a Secretariat march in November raising the same issue.
“The online shopping portals are operating without any specific address and other authentic details. They have been found to be giving second-hand goods. The portals can sell products at a discount rate of 15 to 60 per cent as they are not paying any tax to the government,” said Binny Immatty, state president of the Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti. He pointed out that the shops in the state are on the verge of a closure owing to the new generation sales mechanism.
“Trade worth Rs 400 crore is taking place in the state through the online shopping portals. There is no watchdog in the sector and hence tax evasion is easy. We have submitted complaints to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Finance Minister and the Leader of Opposition to inquire into the sales practice of the online shopping portals. We are awaiting the response,” he added.
It is estimated that there are about 10 lakh traders in the state and the number of dependents is around 50 lakh. Traders say that the computer shops, home appliance shops and textile shops are facing the heat of online shopping.
T Nasarudheen, president of Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti said that the operations of the online portals are dubious.
“Speculation and a large number of frauds do take place through the online portals. It is high time for the government to intervene and order a probe. The samiti is planning to launch an awareness programme on the deceit taking place in the virtual space,” he added.