CCI studying agri market to probe vegetable price rise

Panel's economic wing, with mandate to keep tab on anti-competitive practices at market place, currently assessing who are players

Competition watchdog, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has initiated a study to evaluate various aspects of the country’s agricultural market, amid rising prices of vegetables.

“We are closely evaluating various aspects of the agricultural market to understand the price movements as well as the other technicalities of how players operate in this segment,” a senior official said. The commission’s economic wing, with a mandate to keep a tab on anti-competitive practices at the market place, is currently assessing who are the players, the demand and supply equation, the market behaviour, the intermediaries present in the segment.

While the study is currently in its initial stages, some CCI officials recently held deliberations with the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices Chairman Ashok Gulati to have a better understanding of the market.

In the recent past, prices of vegetables have increased even though the country has witnessed good rainfall. Last year, a study instituted by the CCI had found there were clear imperfections including cartelisation and hoarding that impacted the price of onions. Bangalore-based Institute for Social and Economic Change had conducted that study.  The latest case might be referred for investigation if the competition watchdog finds any prima facie evidence of anti-competitive practices by traders during its study.