CCI opens investigation against Star India Pvt. Ltd. for alleged abuse of dominance / price discrimination

  CCI directs investigation against Star TV (India) for abuse of dominance in distribution of channel content to MSO in the State of Kerala  The Competition Commission of India (CCI) vide order dated 29.12.2017 has initiated an investigation against Star India Pvt. Ltd (“Star India/ Opposite Party”)   for alleged abuse of dominant position  by charging…

CCI exonerates 9 suppliers for bid-rigging in railway tenders

CCI has reiterated importance of evidence to prove bid-rigging : mere identical pricing , including those by related companies held not sufficient.  The Competition Commission of India (‘CCI’) vide its order dated 28.11.2017 has exonerated nine RDSO approved suppliers (“Opposite Parties”) , including four sister companies, of allegations of bid-rigging in supply of roof mounted ac package unit for AC coaches…

India- Central Govt. further dilutes competitive neutrality- exempts Oil and Gas PSUs from merger control by CCI

India- Central Govt. further dilutes competitive neutrality- exempts Oil and Gas PSUs from merger control by CCI In continuation of its slew of exemptions , the Government of India, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) ,  vide its recent Gazette notification dated 22.11.2017 has exempted all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)  in the Oil & Gas…

CCI directs Bollywood junior artists’ & Others’ trade unions and associations in India’s Film and TV industry to maintain fair competition : Issues cease and desist orders

  Competition Commission of India vide its recent order dated 31.10.2017 has penalized the various trade unions and associations of junior artists, cameramen, dancers, art directors etc. of the Bollywood Film Industry for limiting and restricting the supplies of the junior artist etc. to the film directors in terms and an memorandum of understanding. The…

CCI issues advisory to Pharma companies while imposing penalty on All Kerala Chemists & Druggists Association and its office bearers

The Competition Commission of India vide its recent order dated 31.10.2017, while imposing penalty on the All Kerala Chemists & Druggists Association and two of its district units in Thrissur and Kasargod and their office bearers for continuing with the forbidden practice of obtaining NOC by the Pharma companies before appointing new stockists, has for…

CCI dismisses allegations of abuse of dominance against NTPC -India’s largest energy conglomerate

Though the Order is not final and appealable, CCI in this prima facie order has recognized the sanctity of and has refused to intervene in the long term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) entered into between prospective generators and their intended customers, normally DISCOMs, even though the PPA may contain some unfair and anti-competitive terms and…

CCI imposes penalty for bid-rigging in coal transportation auctions

The Competition Commission of India (CCI)  vide its order dated September 14, 2017 imposed penalty of almost INR 12 Crore on 10 entities (Opposite Parties/OP)  namely SSV Coal Carriers Pvt. Ltd (OP-1), Bimal Kumar Khandelwal (OP-2), Pravin Transport (OP-3), Khandelwal Transport (OP-4), Khandelwal Earth Movers (OP-5), Khanduja Coal Transport Co. (OP-6), Punya Coal Road Lines…

Central Government exempts nationalized banks and rural banks from CCI approval for mergers etc.

The Government of India , Ministry of Corporate Affairs (“MCA”) has exempted Nationalized Banks from the applicability of the merger control regime under the Competition Act,2002  (Act) . The MCA vide a Gazette notification dated 30.08.2017 ,in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of Section 54 of the Act  , has  exempted, all cases…