Downsizing CCI: Reducing the number of members may not enhance efficiency

In the case of the CCI, the decision to reduce the number of members from seven to four (including the chairperson) may prove counterproductive

As a general principle, the maxim of “minimum government, maximum governance” is unexceptionable. In the case of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), however, the decision to reduce the number of members from seven to four (including the chairperson) may prove counterproductive. The corporate affairs ministry’s explanation for doing so is that it had sharply raised the assets and turnover threshold for mergers and acquisitions deals that would need CCI approval, which would reduce the workload of the competition regulator. It had also contended that the reduction would speed up the CCI’s work since all members in office have to