Competition Act
Competition Act
Need for Competition Act in an era of free competition where world at large has become a single platform for trade and commerce.
Competition is the battle between businesses to win consumer acceptance and loyalty. ASPECTS OF COMPETITION ASPECTS OF COMPETITION
Productive efficiency
Allocative efficiency
Dynamic efficiency
Secure the interest of the Consumer Reduction of cost and improving quality. Best allocation of resources. It accelerates growth and development Preserves economic and political democracy.
FOR BUSINESS Availability of inputs at competitive price, Level playing field, Redressal against denial of
Enhances choice,
improves quality Reduces costs
Facilitates better
governance
Characteristics
Perfect Competition
Monopolistic Competition
Oligopoly
Monopoly
Number of competitors
Many
Few to Many
Very Few
No direct competition
Somewhat difficult
Difficult
Regulated government
by
U.S.
Similarity of goods/services
Same
offered by competing
firms Individual firm's control over price None market) (set by
similar
the Some
Some
regulated one)
Examples
Farmer
Fast-food restaurant
Automotive manufacturer
Railways
Prohibition of restrictive trade practices (RTP) Prohibition of unfair trade practices (UTP) Prohibition of monopolistic trade practices (MTP)
Refusal to deal Tie-up sales i.e. Full line forcing; Exclusive dealings Concert or collusion-cartel Price discrimination Re-sale price maintenance
Misleading advertisement and false representation Bargain sale, bait and switch selling; Offering of gifts or prizes with the intention of not providing them and conducting promotional contests False representation of the products safety standards Hoarding or destruction of goods
Merger and amalgamation the Act frowned upon expansion of giant undertakings so as not to permit the giant companies to acquire power. the Act was restructured and prior approval of the Government for amalgamation, merger or take-over were removed. Power to conduct inquiry was vested with the MRTP commission.
Example : HLL-TOMCO CASE
European Union
European Community competition law regulates the exercise of market power by large companies, governments or other economic entities.
Horizontal Agreements 1. Price fixing 2. Limited production and supply 3. Bid rigging / collusive bidding 4.Market Sharing
Vertical Agreements 1. Tie-in-arrangement 2.Exclusive distribution agreement 3. Refusal to deal 4. Resale price maintenance
Geographical Market Product Market 1. Physical characteristics or end-use of goods; 2. Price of goods or service; 3. Consumer preferences; 4. Exclusion of in-house production; 1 Regulatory trade barriers; 2. Local specification requirements; 3. National procurement policies; 4. Adequate distribution facilities;
5. Transport costs;
6. Language; 7. Consumer preferences; 8. Need for secure or regular supplies or rapid after-sales services.
Regulation of combinations
A combination is required to be notified to the Competition Commission of India for its approval. Threshold limits prescribed in the Act.
Nature of Combination
(a) Acquisition by enterprises (b)Acquisition by individuals (c)Mergers/ amalgamation
Criterion
Assets In India World over In India World over In India World Over In India World over
Value
>Rs. 1,000 Cr. >US$500 Million >Rs. 3,000 Cr. >US$1500 Million >Rs. 4,000 Cr. >US $ 2 Billion >Rs. 12,000 Cr. >US$ 6 Billion
Turn over
COMPETITION ADVOCACY
Competition Advocacy is defined as the ability of the competition office to provide advice, influence and participate in government economic and regulatory policies in order to promote more competitive industry structure, firm behavior and market performance. (World Bank)
Section 49 - Competition Act, 2002, empowers the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to undertake competition advocacy
Role of Competition Commission Responsibility to prevent practices having adverse effect on competition To promote and sustain competition in markets, To protect interests of consumers and to ensure freedom of trade Enforcing authority Aim to create and strengthen awareness of the role of competition among market players and stakeholders Encourage compliance and reduce the need for enforcement action
combinations under the MRTP Act. threshold limit under the Competition Act. 3. No competition advocacy role for Competition Commission has been entrusted with the MRTP Commission. the function of Competition advocacy.
4.
Unfair trade practices werecovered Unfair trade practices are not covered under the under the MRTP Act. Competition Act. Henceforth it will be covered under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
Survey results
Percentage Wise
13% Competition Act MRTP Act 75%
Case Study: Competition Commission imposes heavy penalties for abuse of dominance DLF CASE (w.r.t. Abuse of dominant position) DLF Ltd was a dominant enterprise and violated the provisions of the Competition Act by entering into an agreement with apartment allottees that was one sided, abusive and unfair to the allottees. Terms of the Apartment Buyers Agreement have been modified in a manner which it considers fair and reasonable and takes into account the interest of both parties. Group housing projects must be constructed in line with the layout plans, floor plans and specifications. Builder will no longer have sole ownership of open spaces within the residential project area not sold to the allottee and has suggested a joint ownership mechanism among the owners.
Conclusion:
Government has a major role to play in providing the right market framework and regulatory environment to provide invaluable impetus to the industrial competitiveness Sole Objective - free market economy through increased production; cost reduction and improvements in quality through better allocation of resources. Competition law and policy contribute to better balance between the rights of producers and protection for consumers and other members of society. A well-administered competition law will have positive spillover effects on the economy at large, not just the particular firms or groups that bring complaints.
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85
87 91
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93
95 97
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9
Putta Aditya
Renake Vikas Uday
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101
THANK YOU !!