CCI dismisses complaint alleging anti-competitive practices against Pernod Ricard India

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed a complaint alleging anti-competitive practices against Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd.

Pernord Ricard is a subsidiary of France based firm Pernod Ricard SA and is engaged in manufacturing, sale and distribution of various alcoholic products in India.

The order came on a complaint filed by Ashok Suchde, proprietor of Vyn Marketing, which was a service provider for Pernord in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

In a complaint filed with the fair trade regulator, it was alleged that Pernord, in 2017, unilaterally terminated an agreement it had entered with Vyn Marketing and subsequently appointed ZK Marketing in its place only because its officers are persons of political parties.

However, it was noted that Pernord entered into a settlement agreement with Vyn Marketing and paid Rs 1.30 crore to the latter.

"The main grievance of the informant emanates out of the alleged unilateral termination by the OP (Pernord Ricard India) of the agreement and the subsequent appointment of ZK Marketing in its place," CCI noted.

While disposing of the complaint, CCI said, "in this regard, the Commission is of the considered opinion that such allegations do not reveal any competition issues/concerns which can be examined within the statutory framework as provided in Sections 3 and 4 of the Act."