CCI to probe complaint filed by Coal India subsidiary

Finding prima facie evidence of competition norms violations, CCI will probe a complaint filed by a Coal India arm against 10 entities for alleged bid rigging in sand and coal transport tenders.
Western Coalfields has alleged that these entities engaged in rigging of bids with regard to a tender for transportation of sand at Mahakali Colliery of Chandrapur area in Maharashtra.
The 10 parties are SSV Coal Carriers, Bimal Kumar Khandelwal, Pravin Transport, Khadelwal Transport, Khandelwal Earth Movers, Khanduja Coal Transport, Punya Coal Road Lines, B Himmatlal Agrawal, Punjab Transport and Avaneesh Logistics.
They are into providing ancillary services in colliery areas including sand and coal transportation in the area of operation of Western Coalfields. All are based in Maharashtra.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has said prima facie the opposite parties have violated fair trade norms.
"Though the Commission has considered the submissions made by the opposite parties whereby they have denied collusion, the evidence on record suggest that prima facie they had colluded for aligning the prices for the sand and coal transport tenders," it said in an order, dated July 2 and made public today.
The watchdog has ordered a detailed probe into the matter by its investigation arm Director General (DG).
"In case the DG finds the opposite parties have acted in contravention of provisions of (Competition) Act, it shall also investigate the role of officials/persons who at the time of such contravention were incharge of and responsible for conduct of business of the company," the order said.