CCI slaps Rs 12,918 cr fine in 327 cases

Out of the penalty imposed, a total of Rs 10,454.08 crore have been stayed by the CAT and various courts

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Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty totalling Rs 12,917.63 crore in 327 cases related to anti-competitive practices during the last three years and till October this year.

Out of the penalty imposed, a total of Rs 10,454.08 crore have been stayed by the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT), various courts, including the Supreme Court and Rs 2,427.90 have been dismissed during the period, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply to Lok sabha.

The amount realised by the CCI stands at Rs 29.49 crore and Rs 6.16 crore remains unpaid during the last three years and the current year till October 31, the minister said.

"CCI has imposed a penalty of Rs 12,917.63 crore in 327 cases... Out of the penalty imposed, an amount of Rs 29.49 crore has been realised, penalty of Rs 10,454.08 crore has been stayed by the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) or High Court or Supreme Court, penalty of Rs 2,427.90 crore has been dismissed by the COMPAT or High Court or Supreme Court and a penalty of Rs 6.16 crore remains unpaid," Meghwal said.

The minister was replying to a question on whether CCI has imposed penalties on some companies for unfair business practices and the penalties slapped have been paid within the prescribed time limit.

To a query on the steps taken by the watchdog to recover penalties, the minister said "necessary actions are taken by CCI for recovery of penalties, as per provisions of the Competition Act, 2002".

In a separate reply, Meghwal said the regulator has examined 496 anti-trust cases from 2013-14 to October 2016 and taken decisions on 347 of them.

Further, with regard to combination cases, CCI has examined a total of 313 cases and taken decisions in 292 cases from 2013-14 to October 2016, he added.