Page 8 - Cci

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

CCI rejects global major Apple's request to put antitrust report on hold

Apple asked the CCI "to take action against TWFS for non-compliance with its order" and "to withhold the revised" report, the CCI order, dated Nov. 13, seen by Reuters showed

Trade associations should work within competition law framework: CCI chief

Trade associations should work within the framework of the competition law as their activities can sometime lead to unintended consequences such as anti-competitive practices, CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said on Friday. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) works to promote fair competition and curb unfair business ways in the market place. Addressing a regional workshop on competition law in Kolkata organised by CCI, along with Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kaur highlighted the instrumental role played by trade and industry chambers in providing a platform for engaging in open dialogue and maintaining a level-playing field. She said trade associations have to operate within the framework of competition law, according to a release issued by the regulator. The influence wielded by trade associations can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, such as the facilitation of anti-competitive agreements or practices, she said, adding that CCI will work proactively ...

Meta to appeal against CCI's Rs 213 crore penalty, diktat on data share

On Monday, CCI imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for abusing its dominant position

WhatsApp-CCI fracas explained: Why Meta is appealing against a $25.4m fine

The Competition Commission of India has accused Meta-owned WhatsApp of abusing its dominant market position in its 2021 privacy update. Here's all you need to know

CCI bars WhatsApp from sharing data with Meta firms, slaps Rs 213 cr fine

Second instance of big tech penalised for abusing dominant position

Ambuja Cements seeks CCI approval to buy majority stake in Orient Cement

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Ambuja Cements has sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire a majority stake in CK Birla group firm Orient Cement Ltd in a Rs 8,100-crore deal. According to a CCI notice, the proposed transaction is a two-stage acquisition process, initiated through two share purchase agreements (SPAs) on October 22, 2024, will see Ambuja Cements initially acquiring a 46.80 per cent stake in Orient Cement. This includes a 37.90 per cent stake from the current promoter group and an additional 8.90 per cent from certain public shareholders. Pursuant to the acquisition of shares, it "triggers an obligation on the acquirer to make an open offer under Sebi's SAST (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) rules for acquisition of up to 26 per cent of the expanded share capital of the target (open offer)", according to the notice. Assuming full acceptance of open offer, the stake of Ambuja Cements will stand at 72.8 per cent, said a not

Zomato, Swiggy deny CCI antitrust violations, say media report 'misleading'

Deepinder Goyal-led Zomato clarified to the BSE that although the CCI initiated a preliminary investigation in April 2022, no findings or orders have been issued against the food delivery platform