On 19 October 2022, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed penalties of INR 223.48 crore and INR 168.88 crore on MakeMyTrip, Goibibo (MMT-Go) and Oravel Stays Private Limited (OYO), respectively.
Continuing its focus on advocacy, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 14 October 2022, published its second market study in two months. The focus of the latest market study was the film distribution chain in India (Market Study). The Market Study was undertaken in order to assess the state of competition in the film industry in light of the dynamic effects of digitisation, and to highlight the potential self-corrective measures that can be adopted to mitigate the prevalent competition law related issues in the industry.
On 5 July 2022, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed allegations that the Chhattisgarh Chemist and Druggist Association (CCDA) controlled the supply of medicines in the State of Chhattisgarh in cohorts with the pharmaceutical companies Alkem Laboratories Limited (Alkem), Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited (Intas), and Koye Pharmaceuticals Private Limited (Koye).
In May 2022, the European Commission (EC) adopted the new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (New VBER) and Vertical Guidelines which were implemented from 1 June 2022.
Anshuman Sakle advises clients across the full spectrum of Indian competition and antitrust law, providing expert guidance on merger control, abuse of dominance, cartel investigations, joint ventures, distribution arrangements, and competition compliance. His deep local insight and practical experience enable him to develop tailored antitrust risk strategies that help clients proactively manage regulatory challenges in both domestic and cross-border transactions.
Adhering to the principles of “due processes”, Indian judicial and regulatory authorities have been taking steps to reduce delays in adjudicatory processes. Enforcement proceedings relating to anticompetitive agreements or abuse of dominance before the Competition Commission of India (CCI) may also not be immune to such inordinate delays. Thus, it may require fresh attempts to get the processes streamlined to the extent possible.
In a welcome move, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has published the revised format of Form II (long form) to notify reportable transactions. While the overhauled format was published on 31 March 2022 by way of amendment to the CCI (Procedure in regard to the transaction of Business relating to Combinations) Regulations, 2011 (Combination Regulations), the requirement to comply will come into effect from 1 May 2022.
“Ease of doing business in India” is one of the fundamental mantras in the economic policy framework of the Government of India. In an effort to re-affirm its resolve, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (“MCA”) renewed two significant notifications on 16 March 2022. This Ergo recaps their necessity and highlights the ramifications of their revival.
