CCI can now take up cases against anti-competitive agreements

NEW DELHI: The government has empowered the Competition Commission to take up cases against companies indulging in anti-competitive practices and abusing their dominance in the market.

The government, according to official sources, notified Section 3 and Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002, which deals with anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance respectively.

The notification will come into effect from tomorrow, the officials said.

Pursuant to the notification, the competition watchdog will be able to take to task the companies indulging in anti- competitive agreements, which can have implications for competition in the country.

These agreements could relate to production, supply, distribution, storage and control of goods or services.

Although Parliament approved the Competition Commission Act in 2002, it could not be operationalized because of court cases.

After amending the Act in 2007, the government appointed the Chairman and members of the Commission early this year and came out with the notification allowing it to function fully and take up cases to deal with anti-competitive practices.