Page 16 - Cci

CCI approves ADIA's stake buy in Lenskart under green channel route

Fair-trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday said it has given approval under the green channel route to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority for acquiring a stake in Lenskart Solutions Pvt Ltd (LSPL). Under the green channel route, wherein a transaction, which does not raise any risk of an appreciable adverse effect on competition, is deemed to be approved on being intimated to the competition watchdog. The proposed transaction relates to the proposed acquisition of a certain shareholding of LSPL by Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust (Platinum Jasmine), a notice filed with the CCI said. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is the sole beneficiary and settlor of Platinum Jasmine, while LSPL is engaged in the business of manufacture, sale and wholesale trading of eyewear products. CCI said it has approved the deal. Last week, Lenskart announced that it has signed definitive documents for a USD 500 million investment from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADIA. "There ar

CCI clears investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS Investment 1 Pte

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday said it has approved the proposed investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS Investment 1 Pte (BTS1), a Singapore-based pooled vehicle. QIA is a sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, while BTS1 is an investment venture firm of James Murdoch's Lupa Systems and ex-chairman of Star and Disney India Uday Shankar. The proposed transaction relates to the proposed investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS1, which is raising capital from various investors for its investment in Viacom18, CCI said. Last year in February, Murdoch and Shankar announced the formation of the firm, Bodhi Tree Systems (BTS) raising up to USD 1.5 billion from QIA. Thereafter, in April, BTS said that it will invest Rs 13,500 crore in broadcaster Viacom18 as part of a tripartite partnership with billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, to form one of the largest TV and digital streaming firms in India. In September 2022, fair-trade regulator CCI on

CCI approves LIC AMC's acquisition of management rights over IDBI MF scheme

The proposed combination entails LIC AMC's acquisition of the rights to manage and administer the schemes of IDBI MF from IDBI AMC

CCI to set up in-house digital mkt data unit for regulating tech platforms

Jyoti Jindgar Bhanot, secretary of the CCI, emphasised on early intervention as a key to ensure that competitive landscape in digital markets is not distorted beyond repair

Govt extends deadline to apply for CCI chief's post till March 27

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has extended the deadline for submitting applications for the post of Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) till March 27. Earlier, the deadline to submit the applications was March 9. The last date for receipt of application has been extended up to 27th March 2023, according to a notice issued by the MCA on Monday. "The candidates who had applied earlier in response to the previous advertisement/ vacancy circular dated 26th July, 2022 inviting applications for the post of Chairperson need not apply," the notice said. Last month, the government had invited applications for the post of Chairperson of the fair-trade regulator. The post has been lying vacant since October 25. Sangeeta Verma, a CCI member, has been the acting chairperson since October last year. Recently, her tenure was extended by the central government for three months. CCI keeps a tab on anti-competitive practices across sectors in the market place and al

NCLAT concludes hearing, reserves judgement over Google's plea against CCI

The NCLAT on Monday concluded its hearing over the petition filed by Google, in which the tech giant challenged the Competition Commission's order imposing a Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. A two-member bench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) was conducting the hearing on a day-to-day basis for over a month. "Heard Learned Counsel for the parties. Hearing is completed. Judgment Reserved," said the NCLAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Member Alok Srivastava. On October 20 last year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. The regulator had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. This ruling was challenged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which is an appellate authority over the .

Google's 'castle and moat' strategy is data hegemony: CCI tells NCLAT

Fair trade regulator CCI on Thursday alleged that Google has created a digital data hegemony and called for a market space with "free, fair and open competition". Concluding the arguments of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) before the appellate tribunal NCLAT in the Google matter, Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman said a market with greater freedom for all players would be in total sync with principles of free competition rather than the 'walled garden' approach of the internet major. On October 20 last year, the CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. The regulator had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. This ruling has been challenged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). On Thursday, Venkataraman submitted that Google had used its money-spinning search engine as the 'castle' and the rest of the other a

Jayant Sinha to introduce Competition (Amendment) Bill 2023 on Friday

The list of private members business on the Lok Sabha's website mentions this bill to be introduced on March 17

Google is not just dominant but 'super dominant', CCI tells NCLAT

Argues that competition law puts onus on Google not to abuse its dominant position and not allow its conduct to impair genuine undistorted competition

CCI approves acquisition of 100% equity share capital of L&T IDPL, KTL

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity share capital of L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited (L&T IDPL) and Kudgi Transmission Limited (KTL), by Epic Concesiones Private Limited (ECPL) and Infrastructure Yield Plus II (IYP II), respectively, under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.

Reliance buyout of METRO Cash & Carry India gets CCI's clearance

METRO India began operations in India in 2003 and was the first company to introduce a cash-and-carry business format in the country

CCI clears Reliance's over $300 million buy of Metro's local business

Metro has been active in the Indian market since 2003 and reported sales of about Rs 7,700 crore for the financial year ended September 2022

Govt panel concludes stakeholder discussion on digital competition law

Govt panel concludes stakeholder discussion on digital competition law

Policy decisions see a disconnect as regulators remain headless

"It is not good governance practice and sends the wrong signals to the corporate world. The selection process should start three months before the incumbent retires. Bureaucracy needs to push harder"

Government invites applications for CCI Chairperson post till March 9

The government on Thursday invited applications for the post of Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Since October 25, the post has been lying vacant. According to a public notice issued by the corporate affairs ministry, the applicants should have professional experience of at least 15 years in international trade, economics, business, commerce, law finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs or competition matters, The person, if selected, can hold the office for a term of five years from the date of joining the post or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The monthly salary will be Rs 4.50 lakh. Applications for the post can be submitted till March 9. "The candidates who had applied earlier in response to the previous advertisement/vacancy circular dated 26th July, 2022 inviting applications for the post of Chairperson need not apply," the notice said. Sangeeta Verma, who is a CCI Member, has been the acting Chairperson since Octo

Google disobeying CCI orders blatantly: Digital start-up thinktank

The CCI in October 2022 directed Google to make significant changes to its Play Store policies after it found several anti-competitive practices on the platform

Google blatantly disobeying CCI orders, charges app developers 11-26%: ADIF

The change claimed by Google is in response to regulatory developments in India, which refers to the CCI orders

CCI order unfair imposition, rival apps not restricted: Google tells NCLAT

Tech giant Google on Friday submitted before the NCLAT that there was "unfair imposition" by the competition watchdog CCI over its mobile app distribution agreement with device makers as it does not restrict from installing other apps, including that of rivals. A two-member NCLAT bench headed by Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan on Friday said it will start day-to-day hearing of the matter from February 23, the next date of hearing. Google while arguing its matter before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) said that the placement of its apps on devices through pre-installation under MADA (Mobile Application Distribution Agreement) is not "unfair" as there is no restriction from installing other apps and enough space is available for them. The appellate tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Google against Rs 1,337 crore penalty imposed by the fair trade regulator CCI for abusing its dominant position in relation to Android mobile devices. Under MADA, OEMs (original ..

CCI clears acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates' assets by Dalmia Cement

The Competition Commission of India on Wednesday approved the acquisition of certain assets of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd and its associate by Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. The proposed combination relating to acquisition of clinker, cement and power plants belonging to Jaiprakash Associates Ltd and its associate by the Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, according to an official release. Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Ltd (DBL). DBL engages in the business of manufacture and sale of cement, sugar and refractory services. DBL is the ultimate parent entity of the Dalmia Bharat Group. The assets are engaged in the manufacture and sale of clinker, grey cement and thermal power generation in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Deals beyond a certain threshold have to be approved by CCI, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices as well as promotes fair competition in the marketplace.

Like Google, Apple may now be asked by CCI to change app store policy

In December 2021, CCI had initiated a probe into Apple's policies following allegations by Together We Fight Society about its high commission and lack of third party options