The centre is reviving plans to restrict e-commerce players, including imposing checks on discounting and unrestrained cashbacks to put a stop to “predatory behaviour”, Times of India reported, citing sources.

Sources told the paper that the commerce ministry is considering ways to strengthen the e-commerce sector and at the same time, safeguarding the interests of domestic shopkeepers and retailers.

Many retailers have complained about their loss of business to “adverse competition” from e-tailers.

Government officials, however, told TOI that the decision is not to woo local traders but is instead aimed at putting in place a policy ahead of an expected push at the WTO to regulate e-commerce globally.