CCI Releases Regulation of Combinations for Corporate Sector
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) today released the regulation of Combinations related with the implementation of provisions of Section 5 & 6 of Competition Act (the Combination Provisions, which have been envisaged to prevent creation of anti competitive environment in Indian economy),are coming into effect from 1st June, 2011. Elaborating the modalities of new rules to the media persons at a press conference here in New Delhi today Shri Dhanendra Kumar, Chairman CCI said that as per the scheme of the Act regulation has been prepared by the Commission in a highly participatory process, consulting various stake holders which included consumers, industrial/business associations, statutory bodies, Government departments, law firms, professional institutions, experts in law, economics, financial services, trade associations etc. Also, detailed consultations were held through inviting suggestions on Draft Regulations, which were put on the web site inviting the suggestions from various stake holders. The open houses were also held in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore to take into account aspirations of the Indian industry and consumer. The consultation was also held with international business firms and law firms through various methods including video conferencing. He said due care has been taken to ensure that regulation lead to certainty in regulatory frame work and become a tool to economic growth of our economy.
Shri Dhanendra Kumar said An attempt has been made to address the various concerns expressed by stake holders during different stages of framing of these regulations and the final outcome is the result of marathon exercise of consultation with all the stakeholders. To that extent, it represents the collective wisdom of all stakeholders, achieved through a unique process of consultation and transparency between the regulator and other stakeholders. Also,
a consolidated summary of the issues raised during consultative process and the redress mechanism are annexed as a table-I and the highlights are as under:
Certainty about the review process of regulation of combinations in a maximum of 30 days. Exemption from filing of notification introduced to a large category of business transactions such as acquisition of stock in trade, raw material, assets/investment in ordinary course of business, bonus issue etc.
Clarity regarding the cases in which notification is required to be filed, after the rules come into force on 1st June, 2011.
Relaxation to avoid multiple filings in interconnected transactions.
Extremely simple and user friendly form as a default option.
Massive reduction of filing fee from Rs.40 lakhs to Rs.50,000/- . Only in exceptional cases, the fee of Rs. 10 lakhs with Form II may be opted for by the parties.
No requirement of notification without a positive connection with market in India.
Elaborate safeguards for confidentiality.
Clarification about the methodology of calculation of assets and turnover.
ISSUES RAISED BY VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ON DRAFT COMBINATION REGULATIONS AND THEIR
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Stakeholders concerns/issues |
How Addressed
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Category in which no need to file notice |
Introduction of a category of transactions (annexed) where no notification is needed to be filed. This includes the categories about which the industry had concerns, like acquisition of stock in trade, raw materials, assets / investments in ordinary course of business, bonus issues, stock splits, combinations with insignificant nexus with markets in India etc.
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Transitional arrangements |
Clear provision that the Regulation / Act will cover only cases where board resolutions regarding final decisions, or execution of binding documents, takes place on or after 1st June, 2011. All cases where decisions have been taken earlier will be exempted even if the combination has not been fully consummated / implemented.
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Interconnected transactions |
Regulation 9(4) provided that where ultimate intended effect of a business transaction is achieved by way of a series of steps or smaller individual transactions which are inter-connected or inter-dependent on each other, one or more of which may amount to a combination, a single notice covering all these transactions may be filed by the parties to the combinations. |
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User friendly form |
Introduction of a very simple and user friendly form (Form-I) in which all filings would be made, with option to file in Form-II to those who prefer to do so. Even in this simple form Form 1, in a large number of cases, only part I needing basic information about the filing parties is required.A vast majority of the cases so filed will be cleared in less than 30 days.
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Reduction in fees |
Filing fees have been reduced to Rs.50,000/- from earlier Rs.40 lakhsfor Form-I in which all notices are required to be filed. Even for Form-II the fee has been reduced from Rs. 40 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs.
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Transaction nexus to India |
Regulation 4 read with Schedule I also provides that the combinations taking place entirely outside India with insignificant local nexus and effect on markets in India need not file notification. |
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Confidentiality |
Elaborate arrangements are being made for ensuring tough confidentiality standards with both physical and electronic security measures.
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Pre-merger consultations and their confidentiality concerns |
As regards pre-merger consultation, the Commission shall make adequate provisions for the same on their website in keeping with international practices. |
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Calculation of turnover and assets |
The clarification with respect to calculation of turnover and assets for the purposes of filing notice is provided in instructions for filling up Forms of notification. |
The Competition Act of India was enacted in 2003 and commission commenced its functioning w.e.f. 20th May, 2009 with enforcement of Section 3 & 4 (Anti Competitive Agreement and Abuse of Dominance Provisions) of the Act coming into effect. The objectives of the Act are sought to be achieved through the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which has been established by the Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003. CCI consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government.
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