Page 4 - Competition Commission Of India

M&A 2.0: Can a new mergers playbook simplify the dealmaking process?

The existing rulebook is strewn with regulatory roadblocks, making mergers and acquisitions, especially for smaller companies and listed entities a burdensome process

NCLAT upholds CCI ruling against Google, cuts penalty to Rs 216 crore

The penalty imposed on Google was cut down from Rs 936.44 crore to Rs 216 crore

CCI to investigate Tasmac for 'abuse' of dominant market position

Fair trade regulator CCI has ordered an investigation against state-owned liquor retailer Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd (TASMAC) over allegations that it is restricting competition in the state's beer market by favouring select brands. TASMAC is a Tamil Nadu government's wholly-owned company registered under the Companies Act. In an order passed on Tuesday, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) directed the Director General (DG) to complete and submit the investigation report within 60 days. The order came after an individual filed a complaint alleging that TASMAC has been purchasing and selling only a few beer brands, while limiting access to other brands in the market and discouraging competition in business. The complainant argued that this practice violates Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002, which prohibits abuse of dominant position. According to the complainant, TASMAC, which has exclusive rights to sell alcoholic beverages in Tamil Nadu through its ...

Singapore's Temasek seeks CCI nod to acquire 10% stake in Haldiram

Temasek will acquire a stake in India's largest packed snack and sweets company and restaurant operator Haldiram Snacks Food through its arm Jongsong Investments Pte

India's ad industry raids followed tip-offs under leniency scheme

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Competition Commission of India raided the local offices of WPP-owned GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis and Dentsu, as well as high-profile Indian broadcasters' body IBDF

Leniency option helps CCI crack down on ad agency cartel, gather evidence

The 'leniency programme' encourages whistleblowers in cartels to provide information on outfits and lessens their penalties in extenuating circumstances

CCI rejects allegations of anti-competitive practices against GMR Airports

Fair trade regulator CCI has dismissed allegations of anti-competitive practices against GMR Airports and Delhi Airport with respect to the awarding of certain contracts. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital is operated by the GMR Group-led consortium Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL). It was alleged by an NGO that GMR Airports was engaged in monopolistic practices and charging excessive fees for contracts related to parking and lounge services at the IGIA. After reviewing submissions from the involved parties, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the contracts for parking and lounge services were awarded through a competitive bidding process, as mandated under the Operation, Management, and Development Agreement (OMDA). The complaint was also against the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Ministry of Civil Aviation and Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide. "... the Commission, in relation to the allegation under Section

CCI's forensic team to analyse data seized in raids on advertising agencies

Competition Commission's forensic experts will be scrutinising the digital data and documents collected during the raids at the offices of some advertising agencies in connection with certain commercial arrangements between the agencies and broadcasters, according to a source. It is suspected that there are alleged anti-competitive practices related to the arrangements with respect to pricing and other aspects. The dawn raids were conducted at various offices of the media agencies in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai that started from Tuesday early morning and ended on Wednesday early morning, the source aware of the development said on Tuesday. A query sent to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) seeking comments on the raids did not elicit any response. The source aware of the development said forensic experts at the CCI's DG office will be examining the digital data and documents collected during the raids. The Director General (DG) of the CCI has been probing alleged anti-competitive

CCI seeks comments on proposed Bharat Forge-AAM India Manufacturing deal

Fair trade watchdog CCI on Wednesday said it has sought public comments on Bharat Forge Ltd's proposed acquisition of AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Pvt Ltd after prima facie concluding that the transaction could adversely impact competition. In October last year, Bharat Forge sought the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) approval for the buyout of AAM India Manufacturing Corporation. Bharat Forge is a leading provider of forged components and solutions to various sectors while AAM India Manufacturing Corporation is into manufacturing and sale of axles for commercial vehicles in the country. "The Commission is of the prima facie opinion that the proposed combination is likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition and, accordingly, has directed the parties, in terms of Section 29(2) of the Competition Act, 2002, to publish details of the combination for bringing the combination to the knowledge or information of the public and persons affected or likely to be

CCI raids ad giants GroupM, Dentsu, broadcasters' body over price collusion

Officers of the Competition Commission of India searched around 10 locations after it initiated a case against the agencies and top broadcasters over allegedly fixing ad rates and discounts

CCI approves Tata Sons' additional 10% stake purchase in Tata Play

Fair trade regulator CCI on Monday cleared Tata Sons' proposed acquisition of an additional 10 per cent stake in DTH operator Tata Play from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings. Currently, Tata Sons -- the promoter of Tata Group -- owns a 60 per cent stake in Tata Play. "The proposed combination involves the acquisition of 10 per cent shareholding in Tata Play by Tata Sons," the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in a release. Tata Sons is an investment holding company, which is registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India and classified as a "Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Core Investment Company". "Commission approves the acquisition of certain additional shareholding in Tata Play Ltd by Tata Sons Pvt Ltd from Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd," the regulator said. Baytree Investments (Mauritius) is an affiliate of Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings. Pursuant to the approval by CCI, Tata Sons will

HUL gets CCI approval to acquire Minimalist in Rs 2,670 crore deal

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), a leading FMCG player, owns more than 50 brands, including Lakme, Lux, Knorr, Kwality Wall's, and Surf Excel

Govt to bring Digital Competition Bill after due process: Harsh Malhotra

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs said while strict interventions were required to enforce the law, self-regulation and compliance should also be promoted

CCI backs Apple in antitrust case, denies Match, startups sensitive data

An investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) last year found Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores

CCI clears ONGC-NTPC Green's proposal to acquire Ayana for Rs 19,500 cr

The Competition Commission of India on Tuesday cleared ONGC-NTPC Green's proposal to acquire renewable energy firm Ayana for Rs 19,500 crore (USD 2.3 billion). ONGC-NTPC Green Pvt Ltd (ONGPL), a 50:50 joint venture between ONGC Green (OGL) and NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL). "CCI approves the proposed combination involving the acquisition of Ayana Renewable Power Pvt Ltd by ONGC NTPC Green Pvt Ltd," the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in a post on X. Last month, ONGPL said it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a 100 per cent equity stake in Ayana Renewable Power Pvt Ltd (Ayana). This is the second biggest deal in the renewable energy space. Adani Green Energy (AGEL) in October 2021 acquired SB Energy India from SoftBank Group Corp (SBG) and Bharti Group in an all-cash deal worth USD 3.5 billion. Ayana, a leading renewable energy platform, has about 4.1 GW of operational and under-construction assets, strategically located across resource-rich states.

CCI rejects allegations against Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, RailTel

Competition Commission has rejected a complaint of alleged unfair business practices filed against Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and RailTel Corporation in relation to the Prime Minister Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. It was alleged that the two entities indulged in anti-competitive practices regarding a project for integrated infrastructure and IT solutions under the scheme. In an eight-page order, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said there is no prima facie case of contravention of either Section 3 or Section 4 of the Competition Act and dismissed the complaint against the two entities. Section 3 and 4 pertain to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position, respectively. The Samithi runs Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas while RailTel is a state-owned telecom infrastructure provider. "The Commission in its various orders have opined that the procurer, which can also be considered a consumer of a tendering process, is at liberty to set its terms and ...

CCI rejects complaint against Microsoft over Windows anti-virus bundling

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected a complaint filed against Microsoft with respect to bundling of anti-virus software with its Windows operating system. It was alleged that bundling of the anti-virus software was violating fair competition norms. Starting with Windows 10 Operating System (OS) edition, the anti-virus software Microsoft Defender is bundled with it. In a 17-page order dated March 3, the CCI said there was no prima-facie case of contravention and closed the matter. To assess the complaint, the regulator considered two relevant markets -- the market for computer security (antivirus) software for Windows OS in India and the market for desktop/laptop security (antivirus) software for Windows OS in India. Citing Microsoft's submissions, the CCI observed that there is no compulsion on users to exclusively use Microsoft Defender as their antivirus solution. Also, it noted that OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are permitted to pre-install alterna

CCI clears US PE firm TPG's proposal to acquire stake in Schott Poonawalla

Fair trade regulator CCI on Tuesday granted clearance to US-based private equity firm TPG's proposal to acquire a stake in Schott Poonawalla from billionaire Adar Poonawalla-led Serum Institute of India. Schott Poonawalla is engaged in the business of designing and manufacturing primary packaging solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech industries. "The proposed combination involves the acquisition by TPG Scion SG Pte Ltd of certain shareholding in SPPL (Schott Poonawalla Pvt Ltd) by way of a secondary purchase from Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd," CCI said in a release. Mumbai-headquartered Schott Poonawala is a 50:50 joint venture between Serum Institute of India and SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co, which is part of German speciality glass firm SCHOTT AG. TPG Scion SG is a special-purpose investment vehicle and an affiliate of the TPG Group, which is a global diversified investment firm founded in 1992. In a separate release, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday approved

CCI's draft regulations on cost in predatory pricing by dominant firms

CCI has so far acted as a fair and mature regulator, fulfilling its role under the Preamble of the Act

Paloma Rheem Holdings gets CCI nod to acquire Fujitsu General for $1.6 bn

Fair trade regulator CCI has approved Paloma Rheem Holdings' proposal to acquire Japanese air-conditioner maker Fujitsu General for USD 1.6 billion. Fujitsu General specialises in air conditioning solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial segments and related IT systems and devices. The company, which operates in India through its subsidiary Fujitsu General (India), also sells air conditioning units under the O General brand. "The proposed transaction relates to Paloma Rheem's acquisition of the entire shareholding of Fujitsu," a notice submitted to the CCI said on Monday. The transaction will enable Paloma Rheem to realise long-term growth and development opportunities, it added. After the approval, Fujitsu General will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paloma Rheem Holdings. Japan-headquartered Paloma Rheem Holdings Co is one of the world's leading air conditioning and water heating companies. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the deal has been cleare