MAM
Govt issues notices to Flipkart, Amazon for not displaying country of origin
The government has cracked the whip on e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart for not displaying mandatory declaration on products, including country of origin. According to a PTI report, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has sent notices to the two e-tailers demanding explanations for non-compliance within 15 days, failing which action would be initiated against them as per the provisions of the Legal Metrology Rules, 2011.
Govt issues notices to Flipkart and Amazon for not displaying mandatory declaration on products, including country of origin
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 16, 2020
Post the Indo-China conflict on the border, the government made it mandatory for the e-commerce players to mention the origin of the products on their websites. The rule was invoked to prevent Chinese companies from selling goods in the Indian market and help the Indian origin brands to reclaim their market share. While the e-tailers have asked their sellers to update the country of origin in August while listing their products on the websites, many haven’t managed to do so on pre-existing listings on the two websites. The notice comes amid the much-vaunted festive season when the two e-tailers have kickstarted their annual mega sales – Big Billion Day and Great Indian Festival. They have listed thousands of products on their websites and launched a massive marketing campaign to push that. Lakhs of people throughout the month will shop on Flipkart and Amazon to make the best of this sale and avail products on discounts. Every year, the two e-commerce giants clock over a billion plus dollars in sales (combined) throughout the country. They have created a strong distribution, procurement, communication network and have been including the local sellers and retailers to expand their reach to the last corner of the country.
Brands
PRCI appoints Baldev Raj as Delhi chapter chairman
Six-month leap signals push for bold, AI-led shift in communications strategy
NEW DELHI: Public Relations Council of India has appointed Baldev Raj as chairman of its Delhi chapter, marking a swift elevation just six months after he took on the role of vice chairman.
The move comes amid growing churn in the communications industry, with trust deficits and misinformation reshaping how brands engage with audiences. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, public trust in institutions continues to decline, while concerns around misinformation remain high.
Industry insiders say Raj’s rapid rise reflects the momentum he has built at Prius Communications, which has picked up five major industry awards in the past four months. His appointment signals PRCI’s intent to bring sharper, more future-facing leadership to the fore.
Under his leadership, the Delhi chapter is set to roll out a series of initiatives aimed at repositioning public relations as a strategic business function. These include an AI ethics and integration framework, a C-suite advisory council, and a revamped young communicators programme focused on mentorship and leadership development.
Commenting on the appointment, Public Relations Council of India chairman emeritus and chief mentor M. B. Jayaram said, “This wasn’t a question of succession; it was a question of strategic necessity. Baldev’s track record of innovation made it clear that we needed his vision and velocity at the helm now.”
For his part, Baldev Raj framed the role as a turning point for the profession. “Our profession stands at a crossroads. We can either be consumed by the tidal wave of AI-generated noise, or become the strategists who restore trust and clarity,” he said. He added that the focus will be on a ‘human plus machine’ approach, blending artificial intelligence with human insight.
Raj, founder of Prius Communications, operates across reputation management and strategic advisory, with specialised verticals in healthcare and brand consulting.
With this leadership shift, PRCI appears to be betting on speed, strategy and a stronger voice for communicators at the decision-making table.
