Representatives of the associations of grocery stores, traders and small retailers recently discussed with minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal in New Delhi the need for a level-playing field and the impact of anti-competitive practices like predatory pricing and other discriminatory methods that are being faced by them from foreign competition. Hardeep Singh Puri and Som Parkash, both ministers of state for commerce and industry, also attended the interaction, according to an official release.

Reiterating that India will not allow multi-brand retail by foreign companies, Goyal urged small traders and retailers to come on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform that has achieved Rs. 25,000 crore turnover. He assured all support and assistance to small traders and retailers to grow their business. The e-commerce policy will be finalised only after taking into account every suggestion received by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the minister added.