Section-V under Competition laws in India

Section-V under Competition laws in india 

Competition Advocacy, Director General, Objects of Savvy, Prohibitions, Repatriate to India, Capital Account Transactions, Current Account Transaction, Abuse of Dominance, Insider Trading, Securities Appellage Tribunal, Special Purpose Vehicle, Predatory Price, Tie-in Arrangement, Relevant Product Market. Anti competitive practices Anti competitive agreements.

1. Competition Advocacy

  • Definition: A proactive approach by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to promote a culture of competition by creating awareness and providing guidance on anti-competitive practices.
  • Section: Section 49 of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Key Points:
    • Encourages stakeholders (businesses, consumers, policymakers) to adopt competition-friendly practices.
    • Provides recommendations to the government for formulating policies that enhance competition.
    • Organizes workshops, seminars, and training programs.
  • Significance: Helps build a competitive economy by ensuring informed participation of all sectors.

2. Director General

  • Definition: The investigative arm of the CCI, responsible for conducting inquiries into anti-competitive practices.
  • Section: Section 16 of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Roles and Responsibilities:
    • Investigates cases based on CCI directives.
    • Collects evidence, examines witnesses, and inspects documents.
    • Prepares and submits a detailed investigation report to the CCI.
  • Significance: Acts as the backbone of enforcement in competition law by ensuring a thorough fact-finding process.

3. Objects of SEBI

  • Purpose: Established under the SEBI Act, 1992, SEBI aims to regulate the securities market and protect investor interests.
  • Key Objectives:
    • Safeguard investor interests and prevent malpractices.
    • Ensure the development and regulation of the securities market.
    • Monitor and penalize insider trading and unfair trade practices.
  • Functions: Includes registering brokers, monitoring mutual funds, and promoting transparency.
  • Significance: Maintains trust and fairness in the securities market.

4. Prohibitions

  • Definition: Restrictions imposed under competition law to prevent practices that harm market competition.
  • Sections:
    • Section 3: Prohibits anti-competitive agreements.
    • Section 4: Prohibits abuse of dominance.
  • Examples:
    • Price fixing and cartelization.
    • Abuse of market power to harm smaller competitors.
  • Impact: Encourages healthy competition, benefiting consumers and the economy.

5. Repatriate to India

  • Definition: Refers to bringing foreign-earned income, capital, or assets back to India, typically regulated under FEMA, 1999.
  • Relevant Sections: Section 37 and RBI guidelines.
  • Key Points:
    • Ensures compliance with foreign exchange laws.
    • Facilitates investments in Indian markets.
  • Significance: Strengthens India's foreign exchange reserves and promotes economic stability.

6. Capital Account Transactions

  • Definition: Transactions altering financial assets or liabilities between residents and non-residents.
  • Relevant Act: Covered under FEMA, 1999.
  • Examples: Investments in foreign securities, acquisition of property, loans, and capital transfers.
  • Regulation: Requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in most cases.
  • Significance: Helps regulate the flow of foreign capital and ensures economic balance.

7. Current Account Transactions

  • Definition: Transactions involving foreign exchange that do not affect the assets or liabilities of individuals or entities.
  • Relevant Act: FEMA, 1999.
  • Examples: Payment for imports/exports, travel, education, and medical expenses.
  • Regulation: Subject to restrictions or approvals for certain categories.
  • Significance: Facilitates day-to-day international trade and services.

8. Abuse of Dominance

  • Definition: When a dominant firm exploits its position to harm competitors or consumers.
  • Section: Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Examples:
    • Imposing unfair conditions on trade.
    • Predatory pricing to eliminate competitors.
    • Restricting market access.
  • Impact: Harms consumer welfare and innovation by reducing competition.
  • Penalty: Can lead to heavy fines and corrective measures.

9. Insider Trading

  • Definition: The buying or selling of securities based on unpublished, price-sensitive information.
  • Section: SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015.
  • Key Points:
    • Applies to insiders such as directors, employees, or others with confidential information.
    • Penalties: Fines up to ₹25 crore or three times the profit.
  • Significance: Protects market integrity and ensures fairness.

10. Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)

  • Definition: A tribunal established to hear appeals against SEBI's decisions.
  • Section: Section 15T of the SEBI Act, 1992.
  • Functions:
    • Reviews SEBI’s orders to ensure fairness.
    • Provides a mechanism for dispute resolution.
  • Significance: Enhances accountability and trust in the securities market.

11. Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

  • Definition: A legal entity created for a specific project or objective, often to isolate financial risk.
  • Uses: Common in infrastructure projects and securitization.
  • Features: Limited liabilities for the parent company and operational independence.
  • Significance: Enables project-specific financing and risk management.

12. Predatory Price

  • Definition: Selling products below cost to drive competitors out of the market.
  • Section: Prohibited under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Impact:
    • Eliminates competition, creating monopolies.
    • Harms small businesses and consumers in the long run.
  • Significance: Ensures a level playing field in the market.

13. Tie-in Arrangement

  • Definition: A seller forces buyers to purchase a tied product along with the desired product.
  • Section: Covered under Section 3(4) of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Examples: A printer manufacturer requiring customers to buy only their cartridges.
  • Impact: Reduces consumer choice and competition.
  • Penalty: Heavy fines and directives for compliance.

14. Relevant Product Market

  • Definition: A market comprising all products or services that are considered substitutes.
  • Section: Defined under Section 2(r) of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Assessment Criteria:
    • Consumer preferences.
    • Price elasticity of demand.
  • Significance: Helps analyze market competition and assess dominance.

15. Anti-Competitive Practices

  • Definition: Activities by businesses that restrict or distort competition in the market.
  • Examples: Cartelization, abuse of dominance, and price-fixing.
  • Sections:
    • Section 3: Anti-competitive agreements.
    • Section 4: Abuse of dominance.
  • Impact: Harms consumer welfare and market efficiency.

16. Anti-Competitive Agreements

  • Definition: Agreements between businesses that reduce or eliminate competition.
  • Section: Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Types:
    • Horizontal agreements: Cartels, price-fixing.
    • Vertical agreements: Exclusive supply or resale price maintenance.
  • Impact: Reduces innovation and consumer choice while increasing prices.

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