The Ministry of Agriculture has launched the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme in order to promote innovation and agripreneurship. Various types of start-ups are covered under this programme, including agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, fisheries, etc. As part of this programme, in addition to financial assistance, training on technical, finance, intellectual property, statutory compliance issues, etc. will also be provided to the start-ups.

The press release can be accessed at – https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1643788.

The High Court of Delhi has notified that suspension of its functioning has been further extended until August 14, 2020. The notification can be accessed at – http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/Upload/PublicNotices/PublicNotice_1KTW5SWXGT5.PDF

The National Agriculturally Important Microbial Culture Collection (NAIMCC) has acquired the status of an International Depositary Authority (IDA) under the Budapest Treaty on July 28, 2020. This is the third facility in India to be designated as an IDA.

The NAIMCC started functioning in 2001 as a national collection for agriculturally important microorganisms (AIMs). Currently, NAIMCC holds 6497 AIMS including 2423 bacteria including actinomycetes, 3828 fungi and 246 cyanobacteria.

The relevant public notice issued by the World Intellectual Property Forum (WIPO) can be accessed at http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/News/691_1_Budapest_338_E.pdf

The Directorate of Agriculture, State of Jammu and Kashmir has been granted the Geographical Indication registration for Kashmir Saffron. It is the 9^th GI registration to be granted to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The peculiarity of Kashmir Saffron lies in its unique qualities such as high aroma, deep colour, long and thick threads (stigmas). The Kashmir Saffron is the only saffron grown at an altitude of 1600m to 1800m AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level) in the world, which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available in the market world over.

To read further about Kashmir Saffron, please see – http://ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/IPOJournal/1_4826_1/Journal_127.pdf

The Central Government has notified Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020, under Section 94 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to regulate and prevent unfair trade practices in e-commerce (market places and inventory led models), direct selling and to protect the interests of consumers.

These rules shall apply to all goods and services bought or sold over digital or electronic network. Some of the salient points of note are:

1. An e-commerce entity to include a foreign company; or an office, branch or agency outside India owned or controlled by a resident of India.
   
   
2. Every e-commerce entity shall establish grievance redressal mechanism, acknowledge receipt of consumer complaint within 48 hours and redress complaint with 30 days of receipt of complaint.
   
   
3. Every marketplace e-commerce entity shall require sellers to display details including the name, address, customer care number, GSTIN, PAN details, etc. The platform shall take efforts to maintain a record of sellers who have repeatedly offered goods/services previously taken down/removed. Every inventory e-commerce entity shall provide and display information related to return, refund, exchange, warranty, delivery & shipment, payment methods, fees or charges, etc.
   
   
4. Sellers shall have written contracts with e-commerce entities and shall appoint a grievance officer. Sellers shall not falsely represent themselves as a customer and post reviews. No e-commerce entity shall engage in mis-leading advertisements.
   
   
5.  Violation of these rules shall be penalized under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 with either fine or imprisonment or both.

The Rules can be accessed at

– http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/220661.pdf.