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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to Amazon Services, accusing the ecommerce giant of selling food products under the name 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad' on their platform. The Centre has asked Amazon to respond for engaging in “deceptive trade practices” within seven days. The notice was given on January 19, "failing which necessary action may be initiated against them under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019", the government said on Friday in a news release.
Amazon’s spokesperson said, "We have received a communication from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regarding misleading product claims by certain seller(s) and investigating them for violations. In the interim, we are taking appropriate action against such listings as per our policies”. The complaint was filed by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), alleging that Amazon is making false representations for the sale of food products online. The consumers are misled under the guise of "prasad" from Ram Temple in Ayodhya which will be inaugurated on January 22.
The complaint was submitted on Friday to consumer affairs minister Piyush Goyal who is also the minister for commerce and industry. The specific Amazon products highlighted in the complaint include ‘Raghupati Ghee Ladoo’, ‘Khoya Khobi Ladoo’, ‘Ghee Bundi Ladoo’ and ‘Desi Cow Milk Peda’. “Pursuant to the examination of the representation, it has been observed that various sweets/food products are available for sale on Amazon e-commerce platform (www.amazon.in) claiming it to be “Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad”,” mentioned a release issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
While making the statement CCPA said “Enabling the sale of food products online that make false representations misleads consumers regarding the genuine characteristics of the product. Such practice falsely influences consumers to make purchase decisions they might not have otherwise taken, had the accurate attributes of the product been mentioned.” “Such practice falsely influences consumers to make purchase decisions they might not have otherwise taken, had the accurate attributes of the product been mentioned,” it further added.
The inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a historic event for India. Thousands of devotees will be present in the ceremony organised by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat are among the VVIP guests who are invited to the most awaited temple consecration.
