- Stakeholders, including industry associations and civil society groups, urge Ministry of Corporate Affairs for a five-month extension to submit inputs on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024.
- They cite the technical complexity and wide-ranging impact of the bill on India’s digital economy as reasons for needing more time to provide nuanced feedback.
- The draft bill proposes regulations for “Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises” (SSDEs) and ex-ante measures for large digital companies, aiming to supplement existing competition laws.
A coalition of stakeholders, comprising think tanks, industry bodies, and advocacy organizations, has appealed to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) for an extension of five months to submit their inputs on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024. Expressing concerns over the current deadline of May 15, the stakeholders emphasize the need for a thorough and informed consultation process due to the bill’s intricate technicalities and broad implications for India’s digital landscape.
In their letter to MCA Secretary Manoj Govil, the stakeholders underscore the significance of engaging diverse voices, including MSMEs, startups, and civil society, in the consultation process. They assert that the proposed extension until October 15, 2024, would facilitate comprehensive research and inclusive discussions on the impact of the bill, especially concerning small businesses, consumers, and gig workers. The draft bill, introduced on March 12, aims to regulate “Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises” (SSDEs) and proposes ex-ante measures for large digital firms, highlighting a shift towards proactive regulatory frameworks in the digital domain.
