Non-essentials can wait: On e-commerce flip-flop (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:Governance 
Prelims level: e-commerce
Mains level: Reasons behind allowing the non-essentialsthrough e-commerce

Context:

• The Centre’s last-minute reversal of its decision to allow e-commerce companies to resume deliveries of ‘non-essential items’, as part of an easing of the lockdown curbs.
• On Sunday, the Home Ministry directed States to ensure that the movement of vehicles used by e-commerce operators for transporting non-essentials be ‘excluded’ from the list of additional activities that would be allowed from April 20 to mitigate public hardship. 

Arguments behind allowing the non-essentials:

• The Ministry gave no reason for its U-turn.
• It would appear wiser counsel prevailed after some Opposition parties and the retail trade had raised the issue of a lack of level-playing field for brick and mortar retailers. 
• The online purchase of a product and its doorstep delivery by an e-commerce firm minimises human interaction to a negligible level unlike a purchase in a store, the fact that the lockdown is aimed at restricting movement to the barest minimum in order to break the chain of transmission necessitates limiting exemptions. 

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Key implications: 

• It given the immense economic costs associated with the shutdown especially to individual livelihoods.
• It would seem a reasonable argument that as many sectors and jobs that can be allowed to reopen with stringent safeguards mandated ought to be permitted to do so in a phased manner.
• Among the sectors that can resume are agricultural and horticultural activities, banking, cargo transportation, construction, and manufacturing of specified goods including packaging material.

Problem for self-employed tradesmen: 

• While self-employed tradesmen such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters have been allowed to resume work, they would be unable to ply their trades if their customers are unable to furnish the relevant material at the work site because the shops and e-commerce firms selling these ‘non-essential’ goods are yet to resume operations. 
• Lost here though is the very definition of what ought to be deemed essential. 
• Is a packet of ‘essential’ cheese slices more vital than a ‘non-essential’ laptop for a person working from home or attending online classes? 

Conclusion: 

• Also, as the lockdown extends to over a month, what might have been non-essential initially might turn essential later. 
• Still, protecting lives must ultimately be prioritised over allowing commercial activity even when the line between ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ purchases remains a blur.

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Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the India’s Containment plan, consider the following statements:
1. The containment plan outlines a strategic approach based on the stage of transmission. 
2. Five stages have been identified — travel-related case reported in India; local transmission; large outbreaks amenable to containment; widespread community transmission; India becoming endemic for COVID-19.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.......................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1) To what extent allowing non essentials items selling from e-commerce stores is justified from the government. Comment.