The competition watchdog, Competition Commission of India (CCI), is finally set to start taking up cases related to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance in a month’s time, after remaining toothless for about six years. “Within a month, we would be able to enforce Section 3 and 4 of the (Competition) Act. Draft regulations have been finalised and are being posted on website...15 days time would be given for public comments,” said CCI Chairman Dhanendra Kumar.
After notification of Section 3, which relates to anti-competitive agreements and Section 4, which deals with abuse of dominance, the commission would be able to take up these cases.
The CCI is empowered to take up cases like mergers and acquisitions, cartelisations, abuse of dominance, predatory pricing, price-fixing along with anti-competitive practices. Eventually, with the related sections being notified, the CCI will be able to take up all these cases.
The CCI will ultimately replace the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC).
Even after the Competition Act was legislated in 2002 and amended in 2007, the commission could not become functional for the lack of a chairperson and six members.
In February, the government appointed the chairman and two members to make the commission operational. So far, the commission has been working towards sensitising stakeholders about fair competition, but was not able to take up any cases, since the regulations under the Act are yet to be notified.
