Competition panel to analyse multi-sided high-tech markets

India's fair trade watchdog will now undertake intense analysis of multi-sided high-technology markets involving network industry and more complex markets requiring greater understanding of economic theories, anti-trust analysis and theories of harm, a top official said here on Saturday.

"Recent development about net-neutrality and other high-tech issues is an area where the Commission will be stressing..," said Competition Commission of India (CCI) member S.L. Bunker.

Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on "Competition Law: Successes, challenges & reforms", organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), he said: "Without undermining importance of what the Commission has already done, I would like to highlight that so far enforcement has been mainly focussed on basic industries and commodities."

"In combination and mergers & acquisitions (M&As) side, there has been lot of work, the Commission has been very-very proactive and so far we have already approved around 250 cases in a remarkable self-imposed time schedule of less than 30 days," he added.

The CCI member further said trade associations have been mainstream for the panel to deal with, especially in pharmaceutical sector from where lot of issues have come.

"Sometimes the associations while pursuing their legitimate business interest cross the line and indulge in anti-competitive activities thereby creating lot of market distortions," he said.

"We have passed many orders in such cases thereby penalising the parties and association members as well," he said, adding the CCI treats a cartel "as the most pernicious violation of competition law" as it strives to ensure competitive neutrality and level playing field among market participants.

Bunker also said that the CCI does not discriminate amongst private businesses and government departments.

"There is a complete impartiality either it is a government department or private industry.. if competition law's violation takes place, then the commission does not give any kind of difference as maintaining competitive neutrality is the main consideration."