Online biz firms to give contact details on their portals

Companies which conduct online business will now have to provide on their websites details about their registration with the government, as well as information about persons to be contacted for grievances.

The government’s move to introduce the requirement comes against the backdrop of instances where people have been duped by way of fraudulent activities, including through online platforms. Tweaking the rules for incorporation of companies, the government has also put in place stricter conditions for conversion of unlimited liability companies into a company limited by shares or guarantee.

The corporate affairs ministry has amended the rules for incorporating a company under the Companies Act, 2013.

Now, “every company which has a website for conducting online business or otherwise, shall disclose/publish its name, address of its registered office, the Corporate Identity Number (CIN), telephone number, fax number, if any, e-mail and the name of the person who may be contacted in the case of any queries or grievances on the landing/home page of the said website”. CIN is the unique number allotted to an entity after getting registered under the Companies Act.