As per industry sources, the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has requested the PMO to direct the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to include mobile handsets in the list of essential products.
Earlier on April 20, 2020, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), in its letter to the MHA, had recommended inclusion of mobile phones and other related products in the essential goods category.
As per MeitY’s recommendation, electronics products required for work from home and online learning should be given the essential category tag. This includes mobile phones and its components, desktops, laptops, tablets, CPEs, servers, storage devices and enterprise network equipment.
ICEA’s move comes in the backdrop of the government’s recent decision to withdraw the permission given to e-commerce firms including Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal to sell non-essential items, starting April 20, 2020. This also included electronics such as mobile handsets.
