In a bid to address the impending issues of direct selling industry and to help Govt regulating this industry for the benefit of the genuine players and thus consumers PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a seminar in Dehradun on Friday. The seminar was attended by the State Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh as chief guest along with Chief Secretary N Ravishankar and Principal Secretary legislation JD Singh.
PHD Chamber Resident Director Anil Taneja stated that this is high time that all the stake holders be facilitated by the administration so that the sanctity and legitimacy of this original age old system be upheld. PHD Chamber of Commerce of Uttarakhand, SP Kochhar said that performance of this sector is hampered by the multiplicity of regulatory mechanism which results in a tedious and complicated policy framework, because of which the process of setting up pan-India supply chain and manufacturing is constrained, hindering the smooth performance of this sector. The multi agency clearance & regulatory framework is overlapped by rules and regulations at district level, State level and central level.
Hridayesh expressed her gratitude to the direct selling industry for providing employment opportunities to the general masses. She also acknowledged the need of regulating the industry in the interest of consumers and assured that she will initiate a process by the administration first from industry and legislation will do the needful.
Misra a consultant for policy at national and international platforms stated that the fast growing direct selling industry needs facilitation from govt. for legitimating the industry and for consumer protection. The consumer protection act he said is not sufficient in its present shape to deal with the needs of this industry or that of e commerce industry as well. Uttarakhand can be pioneering in bringing not only guidelines by enactment specific for this industry. Rajeev Jha of SIIDCUl told that definitely there is impending need to regulated this fast growing industry if not by bringing a new act but at least by providing for specific clauses in the existing acts like contract act, sales of goods act, shops & establishment act etc.
State Human Right Commission member Justice Rajesh Tandon expressed his concern from the point of view of the consumers that its not only Direct Selling industry but also E commerce enabled selling needs the legislative attention of the state and centre. The panel of experts from Amway and Oriflame showcased the challenges faced by the industry and thus needed govt. measures.