Competition panel to soon begin probe into cartels

New Delhi: Even as fears of cartelization rise in sectors such as civil aviation, Dhanendra Kumar, the new chairman of the newly constituted Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the body’s first priority after it starts operating in May would be to investigate takeovers, cartelization, and mergers and acquisitions (M&As) that could lead to the creation of monopolies.
Kumar, however, said that India’s competition body would fast-track approvals of mergers, provided they conformed to the norms, a matter that had become a bone of contention between industry and government.
While declining to comment on the alleged cartelization in the airlines industry, he added that “CCI would first watch various moves, get the relevant data and will take any action if required after quickly analysing them.”
According to Kumar, efforts are on to get the commission operational as fast as possible; this includes setting up an appellate tribunal, the appointment of two more members and hiring 187-odd professionals.
Kumar and CCI member H.C. Gupta, former coal secretary, were sworn in on 28 February, and another member R. Prasad, former chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes, was sworn in on 1 March. Two more members may join at the end of this month, Kumar said.
11/03/09 Sangeeta Singh/Livemint

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Mar 2009