In recent times, the e-commerce sector has become a new trap for fraud. The WTO cell of the Commerce Ministry is working to restore order in the sector.
Therefore, e-Cab, a trade organization of e-commerce companies, is on the path of strict adherence to the policy laid down by the Ministry of Commerce. The organization has suspended the membership of four e-commerce companies, including E-Orange, after e-Valley over serious allegations.
The other three companies are Green Bangla E-Commerce Limited, Excellent World Agro Food and Consumer Limited and Twentyfour TKT.com.
A notice of suspension of membership was issued on Thursday against the 16 accused member organizations through the ongoing investigation process. They have 15 days to respond.
Meanwhile, Priyashop has already been acquitted after resolving the complaint. The shopfront, known as Roka International and Redox brand, was exempted for this time as the allegations were not substantiated.
However, there are 9 more companies in the pipeline to make the final decision with notice of action. These companies include evaly.com Limited, Annex World Wide Limited, Amar Bazar Limited, Falguni Shop.com, Dhamaka Shopping, Adian Mart, Sirajganj Shop, Glitter’s RST World and Alesha Mart.
Although 3 of these companies have been warned, e-Cab may take a tough stand against the rest.
Abdul Wahed Tamal, general secretary of e-Cab, said that legal action would be taken after informing the law enforcement agencies about the cancellation of their membership.
The general secretary of e-Cab also said that measures will be taken to ensure that no one can continue trading after the cancellation of e-Cab membership.
“We are informing the government and law enforcement,” Tamal said. Besides, we are alerting the customers and informing the members.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry has sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank asking for information on bank transactions and financial information of almost all the member organizations in e-Cab’s arbitration. The companies are: Dhamaka, E-Orange, Sirajganj Shop, Aladdin’s Lamp, Qcom, Boom Boom, Adian Mart, Need.com.bd and Alesha Mart.
However, if any of them just shut down the business or are found guilty of violating the policy, then the Ministry of Commerce has no choice but to take administrative action against them. There is no chance of taking any punitive action against those responsible for violating the policy even if the website is shut down or the company is canceled.
Hafizur Rahman, director general of the World Trade Organization-WTO cell and head of the central digital commerce cell, said the law would be enacted soon in the light of these policies to ensure transparency in e-commerce. However, it is still in the planning stage.
Overall, experts are emphasizing the introduction of mandatory escrow service in e-commerce at the earliest and widespread public awareness.
