Update (6:06 pm): The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that e-commerce companies are not allowed to deliver educational books or electric fans, Shambhu Nath Choudhary, Director (Media) at MHA, told MediaNama via email. "Please refer to the Press Release of PIB dated 21.04.2020 on the subject. Book shops and shops selling fans exempted. Nowhere, it was mentioned that e-commerce companies can also deliver the same." — Shambhu Nath Choudhary, Director (Media), MHA [emphasis ours] We have reached out to Flipkart for comment. Earlier (11:19 am): Flipkart has resumed selling ceiling fans, table fans, pens, erasers and course books on its platform. This may be in violation of government guidelines for the COVID-19 lockdown. MediaNama was able to browse and able to order pens, books, and fans with next-day delivery or 2-day delivery. In response to query by MediaNama, Flipkart has said, "At Flipkart, through our safe and sanitized supply chain, we’re only selling Grocery/Essentials which have been allowed by Govt guidelines. We’re also following our robust supply chain SOPs to ensure safe deliveries to customers at their doorsteps and helping enforce social distancing to contain this outbreak." [caption id="attachment_213758" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] We were able to place an order for pens today. Delivery is expected within a day and we got no disclaimer that it might be delayed because of the lockdown at any step.[/caption] What is not clear and might be in potential violation of Ministry of Home Affairs' order is whether Flipkart is allowed to sell and deliver course…
