Cci

CCI's ruling can force rollback of features, hurt business, warns Meta

The CCI has imposed a fine of $24.5 million and a five-year ban on the data sharing practice in India, the biggest market for Meta where it has more than 350 million Facebook users

CCI approves Ashoka Buildcon's 34% stake buy in Ashoka Concessions

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday approved Ashoka Buildcon's proposal to acquire remaining 34 per cent stake in Ashoka Concessions Ltd. Currently, Ashoka Buildcon Ltd (ABL) owns a 66 per cent holding in Ashoka Concessions Ltd (ACL). After the CCI's approval, ACL will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashoka Buildcon. The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of 34 per cent equity shareholding of Ashoka Concessions by Ashoka Buildcon and certain convertible instruments of ACL by ABL and Viva Highways, CCI said. Viva Highways is a subsidiary of Ashoka Buildcon. "CCI approves the proposed acquisition of 34 per cent equity shareholding of Ashoka Concessions by Ashoka Buildcon and certain convertible instruments of ACL by ABL and Viva Highways (Viva); and 26 per cent shareholding of Jaora Nayagaon Toll Road Company (JN) by Viva," CCI said in a post on X on Tuesday. In October 2024, ABL said it will acquire 100 per cent of the investments of investors in AC

Zomato, Swiggy's use of partner data may draw CCI scrutiny, say experts

The CCI had ordered an investigation by the Director General (DG) into the conduct of the food delivery aggregators, the details of which are yet to be made public

NRAI set to approach CCI over Zomato and Swiggy's 10-minute delivery apps

The NRAI is considering legal action and approaching CCI over Zomato and Swiggy's new 10-minute food delivery apps, citing anti-competitive practices and private labelling concerns

CCI found Pernod pushed retailers to promote brand, document shows

Pernod is contesting a $250 million India tax demand for allegedly undervaluing imports and also faces an investigation into violations of New Delhi city's liquor policy

CCI will focus on leveraging tech for fair competition: Chairperson Kaur

CCI will focus on strengthening enforcement, enhancing collaborations and leveraging technology to ensure fair competition in the country, its chief Ravneet Kaur has said. Competition Commission of India (CCI), which has the mandate to foster fair competition as well as curb anti-competitive practices, has been working on understanding the dynamic interplay between traditional market practices and the rapidly evolving digital economy. "There is an imperative need for a nimble, proactive regulatory approach that adapts to emerging market challenges, particularly in sectors driven by technology and innovation," Kaur told PTI in a recent interview. Various amendments to the Competition Act were made in 2023 leading to introduction of new mechanisms, including settlement, commitment and deal value thresholds. The CCI Chairperson emphasised that the endeavour is to strike a balance between effective oversight and a simplified, market-friendly regulatory regime. "Going forward, our focu

CCI seeks more info on anti-competitive allegations against qcom companies

The Competition Commission, which has received a complaint of anti-competitive practices against quick commerce companies, is waiting for more information on the allegations from the complainant before taking a decision on the matter. The complaint was submitted by the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) to the the commerce and industry ministry. Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said a complaint against quick commerce firms alleging that they indulged in predatory pricing and other anti-competitive practices was forwarded by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to the regulator. "CCI has asked the informant to furnish details and information as per the requirements of the Competition Act. Reminders have also been sent to the informant to furnish the requisite information," Kaur told PTI in a recent interview. The watchdog first assesses a complaint to ascertain whether there are prima-facie violation

CCI conducts market study on renewable energy space across Brics nations

Fair trade watchdog CCI is conducting a market study to understand the competitions issues in the renewable energy space across BRICS nations. The study is being conducted under the BRICS framework by India, Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said. Currently, the regulator is also doing a market study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and competition. "CCI has started the process for the study of competition issues in the renewable energy space across the BRICS countries," the chairperson told PTI in an interview. Initially, the grouping comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa joined it. A few more countries have also joined the bloc. Kaur also said the commission does explore areas for conducting market studies depending upon the market dynamics and enforcement priorities.

CCI to intervene selectively, considering sector-specific dynamics

The annual report noted that the rapid rise of digital markets based on new business models have emerged as challenges for the regulator

CCI approves US-based KKR's proposal to acquire stake in Rebel Foods

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday approved global investment firm KKR's proposal to acquire a stake in home-grown food-tech company Rebel Foods. US-based KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co), through its affiliate -- Royce Asia Holdings II Pte, is acquiring a stake in Rebel Foods, which owns Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story and other cloud kitchens. "By way of the proposed transaction, Royce proposes to acquire certain equity shares and compulsorily convertible preference shares of Rebel Foods (on a fully diluted basis) by way of a secondary purchase," CCI said. Founded in 2011 by Jaydeep Barman and Kallol Banerjee, Mumbai-based Rebel Foods has 450 kitchens across 10 countries, including India, Indonesia, the UK and the United Arab Emirates. "There are no horizontal overlaps and or vertical/ complementary links between the activities of the parties (Royce Asia Holdings II and Rebel Foods) and their respective groups/ affiliates, in India. "Accordingly, absent ..

SC denies special treatment to CCI, refuses to transfer all probe petitions

"Only because some litigant is to be given special treatment, bypass the rules, we can't place it directly before the division bench," the Supreme Court said

Samsung accuses India watchdog of detaining employees, seizing data

3 Samsung employees were present in the vicinity of the search when the watchdog's officials detained them, seized their phones and copied all the confidential and privileged data, the company said

Ex-ante norms have taken into account India's startup ecosystem: CCI chief

The draft Digital Competition Bill has proposed ex-ante (preventative) regulations requiring digital companies to notify the CCI that they fulfil the criteria to qualify as SSDEs

Samsung challenges CCI search and seizure, seeks to halt anti-trust probe

Tech giant Samsung has challenged the legality of a 2022 CCI search and seizure, claiming the cloning of its employees' phones and data was illegal

Blackstone gets CCI nod to acquire stakes in two Bagmane Group entities

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday said it has cleared Blackstone's arm BREP Asia III India Holding Co VIII's proposed acquisition of stakes in Bagmane Developers and Bagmane Rio. US-based Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager, with more than USD 1 trillion in assets under management (AUM). "The proposed combination involves the acquisition of certain stake in the Bagmane Developers and Bagmane Rio (Target entities) by BREP Asia III India Holding Co VIII (Acquirer)," CCI said in a release. Bagmane Developers and Bagmane Rio are engaged in the business of development, leasing and operation of commercial real estate, hospitality business as well as allied services such as generation of renewable power. "Commission approves the acquisition of certain stake in Bagmane Developers Pvt Ltd and Bagmane Rio Pvt Limited by BREP Asia III India Holding Co VIII Pte Ltd," the regulator said. In a separate release on Tuesday, CCI said it approved the propo

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC gets CCI clearance to acquire Covestro for $16.4 bn

Fair trade regulator CCI on Tuesday said it has approved Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's (ADNOC) proposal to acquire Covestro for USD 16.4 billion. Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil firm ADNOC is an energy and petrochemicals group. "The proposed transaction relates to the acquisition of up to 100 per cent of the share capital of Covestro AG by ADNOC PJSC, ADNOC International Ltd and ADNOC International Germany Holding AG (ADNOC Germany) by way of an all-cash voluntary public takeover offer to all Covestro shareholders. "Upon closing of the public takeover, ADNOC Germany will additionally subscribe to 1.89 crore new shares in Covestro, corresponding to 10 per cent of Covestro's current share capital, by means of a capital increase against cash consideration with the exclusion of subscription rights of any remaining minority shareholders of Covestro," the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in a release. The company runs its India operations through Covestro (India) Pvt Ltd. Coves

CCI seeks SC hearing to expedite investigation in Amazon, Flipkart cases

The commission's investigation unit concluded in August that Amazon and Flipkart breached India's antitrust laws by favouring selected sellers on their websites

UltraTech receives CCI notice over proposed acquisition of India Cements

Leading cement maker UltraTech Cement has received a notice from the fair trade regulator CCI over its proposed acquisition of the South-based India Cements Ltd. UltraTech Cement, in a regulatory filing, said it has received notice from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and the Aditya Birla group flagship firm is confident in the merits of its case. "The Company has received a communication from the Competition Commission of India under Section 29 (1) of the Competition Act, 2002, regarding the proposed acquisition of The India Cements Ltd. The Company will be responding to the same," said UltraTech. The southern market for grey cement, where India Cements primarily operates, is highly competitive and fragmented, with the presence of over 35 grey cement manufacturers. "We are confident of the merits of our case," the Aditya Birla Group firm said. Under the CCI Act, where the fair trade regulator is of the opinion that a combination is "likely to cause, or has caused an ..

CCI approves deal involving GMR Infra Enterprises, Abu Dhabi-based trust

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday approved a proposed transaction involving GMR Infra Enterprises Pvt Ltd and a trust of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. The proposed combination involves subscription to unlisted and unrated optionally convertible debentures of GMR Infra Enterprises by Platinum Stone A 2014 Trust (acting through its trustee Platinum Rock B 2014 RSC Ltd), according to a release. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is the sole beneficiary of Platinumb Stone. GMR Infra Enterprises Pvt Ltd will acquire a cumulative of approximately 9 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis of GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) from its promoter -- GMR Enterprises Pvt Ltd (GEPL). The shareholding of GAL held by GMR Infra Enterprises will be pledged in favour of the trust with a view to secure the debenture subscription amount, the release said. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given its nod for the deal. In October, GMR Group said it has secured Rs 6,300 crore de

CCI orders probe against Google, affiliates for unfair biz in gaming apps

Fair trade regulator CCI on Thursday ordered a probe against Google and its affiliates for alleged unfair business practices with respect to listing of real money gaming apps on Play Store. While passing the order, CCI said the "the Commission directs the Director General ('DG') to cause an investigation to be made into the matter under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act". The Commission also directed the DG to complete the investigation and submit a consolidated report within 60 days. The probe follows a complaint by Winzo Games, accusing Google of abusing its dominant position and unfairly favouring select gaming categories, thereby distorting competition. In its 24-page order, the regulator noted that the selective inclusion of DFS and Rummy apps gives them an undue competitive advantage. "Direct access to end-users via the dominant Play Store provides a significant edge to DFS and Rummy apps, potentially disadvantaging other RMG applications," the Commission said in it