Competition Commission Of India Cci

SC upholds NCLAT order setting aside ₹301 cr penalty on Grasim Industries

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld an NCLAT order that set aside a Rs 301.6 crore penalty imposed on Grasim Industries by the Competition Commission of India and directed the fair trade regulator to hear the Aditya Birla Group firm again over its alleged dominance in the viscose staple fibre market. A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran dismissed the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) appeal challenging the May 5 NCLAT order. The tribunal had observed that the CCI did not provide a chance to Grasim Industries to present its arguments after it differed from the findings of the Director General (DG), the regulator's probe unit. The CCI had imposed the penalty on Grasim Industries in March 2020 for allegedly abusing its dominant position with respect to the supply of viscose staple fibre (VSF) to spinners in India. Grasim challenged the order before the NCLAT, which is also an appellate authority over the CCI, which asked the regulator to hear the matter

From Google to Zomato: What the Digital Competition Bill means for firms

The Union government may raise thresholds under the proposed Digital Competition Bill. Here's what the law seeks to do, who may fall within its scope and why the changes matter

Avoiding suo motu cases unless no one comes forward: CCI to House panel

Competition Commission is avoiding taking up suo motu cases unless nobody is willing to come forward, as there is a conflict of interest in terms of establishing and also adjudicating such cases, the regulator informed a Parliamentary panel. The watchdog has the mandate to curb unfair business practices, as well as foster fair competition, across sectors. The Committee on Subordinate Legislation of the Rajya Sabha that examined various regulations and guidelines of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) flagged the issue of decline in suo motu cases. During the committee's meeting on May 19, CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur told the panel members that suo motu cases were more frequent during the initial years due to limited public awareness regarding competition law. "But the Commission felt that there is somewhat of a conflict in that they are establishing a case against a party and also adjudicating it. "Therefore, they have now avoided taking up a matter suo moto unless nobody e

CCI must enforce penalty rules for competition law violations: House panel

Fair trade watchdog CCI should vigorously enforce the determination of penalty guidelines to curb the risk of repeated competition law violations being internalised as a "mere cost of doing business", according to a Parliamentary panel. These guidelines provide for repeated competition law contraventions as an aggravating factor while imposing penalties to ensure that such offences do not happen in the future, the Committee on Subordinate Legislation of the Rajya Sabha said. The recommendation is part of the report tabled this week in Parliament by the committee chaired by Milind Murli Deora on the Competition Commission of India (CCI). In the report, the committee said vigorous antitrust enforcement is indispensable to ensure that the least advantaged are not further disadvantaged by unfair or anti-competitive conduct. "Small businesses, MSMEs, startups etc should be able to depend upon a steady and vigorous enforcement of the competitive laws to safeguard their ability to ...

Writ petition in Delhi HC challenges validity of CCI's settlement framework

The petition alleges that the Competition Act settlement regime prevents consumers, informants and other affected parties from questioning CCI settlement orders

Explained: The Zomato price-parity case and why restaurants oppose it

NRAI's latest plea has brought Zomato's price-parity clauses back into focus. Here's what the case is about and why these provisions are under scrutiny

CCI clears pharma firms, trade bodies in 14-year-old antitrust case

The antitrust watchdog rejected its Director General's findings, ruling there was no evidence of anti-competitive agreements involving stockist appointments or new drug launches

Apple accuses CCI of 'copy-pasting' rivals' claims in antitrust probe

The iPhone maker has asked India's competition watchdog to set aside an investigation report that found it engaged in abusive conduct, alleging investigators relied heavily on complaints from rivals

Apple agrees to provide India financial data to CCI in antitrust case

Apple's decision to submit India financials moves the CCI's antitrust probe closer to a potential penalty over alleged App Store market abuse

CCI proposes increasing time limit under antitrust commitment mechanism

Competition watchdog seeks to address procedural issues in the commitment framework by extending filing timelines and clarifying application requirements

CCI's first chairman Dhanendra Kumar dies in AC blast fire at Delhi home

Kumar, 80, was taken to the Aiims Trauma Centre after being rescued from the house but was declared dead on arrival

CCI okays Blackstone, investors' stake acquisition offer in Neysa Networks

Fair trade regulator CCI on Wednesday approved a proposal of Blackstone-backed PE funds and other investors to acquire a stake in AI acceleration cloud provider Neysa Networks. The development came after Neysa, in February this year, announced that private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone and co-investors have entered into definitive agreements to invest in the company, enabling a USD 1.2 billion capital raise. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has cleared the proposed deal. "CCI approves the acquisition of certain shareholding in Neysa Networks Private Limited by BCP Asia II Topco V Pte. Ltd, Asia II Topco XIV Pte. Ltd, and other investors," the competition watchdog said in a post on X. Other equity investors in the transaction include Teachers' Venture Growth, TVS Capital, 360 ONE Assets, and Nexus Ventures. Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager with USD 1.3 trillion in assets under management, including global investment strategies .

Delhi HC refuses Apple's plea to halt CCI probe, asks firm to cooperate

Delhi HC said in an order that Apple 'shall fully cooperate' but it asked the Competition Commission of India to not pass a final order in the matter until at least July 15

CCI orders antitrust probe into Pernod Ricard over exclusive retailer deals

Complaint alleges Pernod gave $24 million in corporate guarantees to help city retailers secure loans in 2021, in return for ensuring 35% of shop stock comprised Pernod brands

CCI appoints its advisor Rakesh Bhanot as acting DG to helm investigations

CCI names former advisor Rakesh Bhanot as acting DG, extends deadline to apply for the post till May 5 while key investigations remain underway

CCI probes Givaudan, Firmenich, IFF over deals not to poach workers

NEW DELHI, March 17 (Reuters) - India's antitrust watchdog is investigating global fragrance makers Givaudan, Firmenich and International Flavors & Fragrances over accusations of striking anti-poaching deals that can harm workers, regulatory documents show.

CCI must balance innovation and prevent digital dominance: Rajiv Gauba

NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba said CCI must balance innovation and fair competition in digital markets, while chairperson Ravneet Kaur flagged potential anti competitive conduct

CCI to act against potential anti-competitive ways in AI space: Chairperson

Competition Commission is getting ready to take action against anti-competitive practices that might emerge in the artificial intelligence front, including algorithmic collusion, the regulator's chief Ravneet Kaur said on Monday. She said the watchdog is also looking at anti-trust issues in sports, civil aviation, paints and varnishes, and liquor sectors. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) keeps a tab on unfair business practices in the market place. "... we are getting ready to take action even on any anti-competitive practices which might emerge in the AI front. "So, we've identified potential anti-competitive conduct... which would be concentration in the AI value chain. It could be algorithmic collusion, targeted price discrimination, self-preferencing, or any opaqueness in the AI," Kaur said. Last year, CCI came out with a market study in AI and competition. Speaking at the 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law in the national capital, the CCI ...

Intensify proactive monitoring of duopolistic sectors: Parl panel tells CCI

Regulator CCI should intensify proactive monitoring of duopolistic or high-concentration sectors through regular market studies, competition risk assessments, and targeted interventions as they are showing disproportionate market power, a Parliamentary panel has said. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has the mandate to curb anti-competitive practices and promote fair competition across sectors. Besides, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has urged the Corporate Affairs Ministry to expedite the introduction of the Digital Competition Bill, with a time-bound roadmap to ensure effective regulation of large digital platforms. In a report tabled in the Lok Sabha this week, the panel said that despite enforcement actions and market studies by the CCI targeting dominant firms in digital markets, "several traditional sectors of the Indian economy also display duopolistic or highly concentrated market structures". Such structures are resulting in disproportionate marke

AI ecosystem opaque, needs accountability: CCI chairperson Ravneet Kaur

AI's benefits come with competition risks, CCI chair Ravneet Kaur warns, calling for greater transparency, accountability and a balanced approach to digital regulation