Anything I'Ve Done That Was Ultimately Worthwhile Initially Scared Me to Death. - Betty Bender

Vidyasagar University Journal of Commerce Vol. 11, March 2006

Communication

E-COMMERCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000

Sunil Kr. Gandhi*

ABSTRACT

The communication deals with E-Commerce in the backdrop of Information Technology Act, 2000.

1. Introduction In the last decade of twentieth century, we heard a hue & cry about ECommerce. Experts estimated that in future E-Commerce transactions would overtake conventional transactions throughout the world. A vast employment opportunity of E-Commerce-personnel was also expected. In commensurate with the actions of other countries, Govt. of India enacted Information Technology Act, 2000 to facilitate E-Commerce transactions, inter alia other objectives. University Grant Commission (UGC) in its model syllabus (2001) suggested that B.Com. (E-Commerce) and M.Com.(E-Commerce) may be introduced by the Colleges/Universities. This new area is a deviation from our conventional subjects since it involves some technicalities. Yet it is we, who will have to adopt this subject. The UGC model curriculum (2001) for commerce courses emphasizes the same point. 2. E-Commerce Concept In a broad sense Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) includes not only Internet commerce but also transactions through other electronic medium. In other words it can be described as(1) transaction between a company and its customers i.e. buying and selling of goods, services and information (including after-sale service and support);

*Reader, Dept. of Commerce, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal.

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(2) exchange of structured busines information between two or more companies, e.g. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); and (3) internal commerce involving work flow reengineering, product and service customization, Supply Chain Management (SCM) etc; by using electronic devices. Electronic devices used for E-Commerce are – (i) Bar Code Machines, (ii) Vending Machines, (iii) Telephone & Telegraphs (iv) Fax (v) Television (vi) Stand...