Encourage e-commerce: Pawar to PM

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 26

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the Centre to allow online shopping portals and home delivery of goods to function without hindrance during the lockdown. “Conventional shops and stores will be at a disadvantage in view of various restrictions and social distancing norms, which may acquire permanence,” Pawar said in the letter.

He pointed out that prominent sectors of the economy, such as aviation, transport, tourism, conventional retail, entertainment and media, were likely to suffer for a longed period of time. “All businesses unable to handle social distancing will suffer heavily. A sizeable number of businesses are not likely to survive and many will lose jobs,” he said.