News for 'Competition Commission'

Tribunal refuses interim relief to Google on Rs 936-cr penalty imposed by CCI

Tribunal refuses interim relief to Google on Rs 936-cr penalty imposed by CCI

Rediff.com11 Jan 2023

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday declined to grant interim relief to Google seeking a stay on competition watchdog CCI's penalty of Rs 936.44 crore on the tech giant for abusing its dominant position with respect to Play Store policies. The appellate tribunal has directed Google to deposit 10 per cent of the fine before its registry in the next four weeks. A two-member bench comprising Justice Rakesh Kumar and Alok Srivastava issued notices to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and other respondents and posted the matter for hearing on April 17, 2023.

Tribunal upholds CCI's Rs 1337 cr fine on Google, gives it 30 days to pay

Tribunal upholds CCI's Rs 1337 cr fine on Google, gives it 30 days to pay

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

The NCLAT on Wednesday upheld the orders of the fair trade regulator CCI imposing a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on tech major Google in the Android mobile devices case, with some modifications.

World Boxing chief's clarion call to save Olympic dream

World Boxing chief's clarion call to save Olympic dream

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

The Asian Boxing Confederation last month decided to stay with the IBA.

New dates for NEET-PG 2024 exam announced

New dates for NEET-PG 2024 exam announced

Rediff.com5 Jul 2024

The Union Health Ministry on June 22 postponed the NEET-PG entrance examination, scheduled to be held on June 23, as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams.

Budget 2024: FM exhorts states to take up next-gen reforms agenda

Budget 2024: FM exhorts states to take up next-gen reforms agenda

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday underlined the need for collaboration between the Centre and states to take up the next-generation reforms covering land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. As far as revenue share goes, the government has projected to give about 32.5 per cent of central taxes to states during FY25, against the 15th Finance Commission's recommendation of 41 per cent, according to the Union Budget estimate.

Google versus Epic Games verdict in US cheers Indian gaming developers

Google versus Epic Games verdict in US cheers Indian gaming developers

Rediff.com13 Dec 2023

The verdict in the Google versus Epic Games antitrust case in the US has spread cheer among the Indian gaming and app developers. Ending a three-year legal battle, the San Francisco jury found that Google turned its Play app store and billing service into an illegal monopoly. American video game maker Epic Games, best known for Fortnite, had sued Google in 2020.

Sitharaman holds meet for 'time-bound' completion of Budget schemes

Sitharaman holds meet for 'time-bound' completion of Budget schemes

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met top officials of the finance and corporate affairs ministries to review the implementation of various announcements of the Union Budget FY24. "The finance minister underlined the importance of continuous assessment of progress to ensure that various announcements are implemented in a time-bound manner," the finance ministry said in a tweet. Sitharaman also discussed in detail various issues on the digital competition laws with Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the minister of state for entrepreneurship, skill development, electronics and technology.

Robust equity inflows to keep earnings growth strong for AMCs

Robust equity inflows to keep earnings growth strong for AMCs

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

The mutual fund industry's QAAUM (Quarterly Average Assets Under Management) was up 37 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) (9 per cent Q-o-Q) to hit Rs 59 trillion (end Q1FY25). The equity segment grew 55 per cent Y-o-Y and equity formed 56 per cent of total AUM, up 49 per cent in Q1FY24. Sequentially, AUM grew by Rs 5 trillion.

Air India proposes to acquire AirAsia India

Air India proposes to acquire AirAsia India

Rediff.com27 Apr 2022

Tatas-owned Air India plans to acquire no-frills carrier AirAsia India and has sought approval from the Competition Commission for the proposed deal. AirAsia India is majority-owned by Tata Sons Private Ltd with a shareholding of 83.67 per cent and the remaining stake is with AirAsia Investment Ltd (AAIL), which is part of Malaysia's AirAsia Group. Full service carrier Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express were acquired by Talace Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Ltd, last year. Besides, Tatas operate full service airline Vistara in a joint venture with Singapore Airlines.

CCI rules out anti-competitive charge against Volkswagen

CCI rules out anti-competitive charge against Volkswagen

Rediff.com12 Feb 2015

Fair trade regulator CCI has rejected allegations against Volkswagen.

Android probe: CCI 'protecting' Amazon, Google tells SC

Android probe: CCI 'protecting' Amazon, Google tells SC

Rediff.com7 Jul 2023

Google, in its latest appeal to the Supreme Court, has said the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is protecting Amazon's interests after having complained that India's anti-competition body (CCI) had copied part of a European Commission ruling against it for allegedly abusing the market dominance of Android. The latest twist to the Google-CCI case comes as Google filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on June 26, against the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT's) March 29 order. The tech giant's contention is that the NCLAT failed to apply the "effect analysis" part in the CCI order.

The major decisions taken by the GST Council

The major decisions taken by the GST Council

Rediff.com22 Jun 2024

In order to reduce government litigations, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the GST Council has fixed a monetary limit for filing appeals by the tax department before the various appellate authorities. It has recommended a monetary limit of Rs 20 lakh for GST Appellate Tribunal, Rs 1 crore for the High Court and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court for filing of appeals by the department before these legal forums, she said after the 53rd GST Council meeting held in New Delhi.

Google India appoints Niti Ayog's Archana Gulati as head of public policy

Google India appoints Niti Ayog's Archana Gulati as head of public policy

Rediff.com4 May 2022

Internet major Google has appointed former joint secretary at Niti Aayog Archana Gulati as head of public policy in India. A Google spokesperson confirmed the appointment. Messages sent to Gulati elicited no immediate reply. Gulati was looking after digital communications policy matters at the government think tank and took voluntary retirement in April last year.

Zomato, Swiggy to be probed for alleged unfair biz practices

Zomato, Swiggy to be probed for alleged unfair biz practices

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

Competition Commission on Monday ordered a detailed probe against food delivery platforms, Zomato and Swiggy, for alleged unfair business practices with respect to their dealings with restaurant partners. The order has come on a complaint filed by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI). The watchdog's probe arm -- Director General (DG) -- will investigate the case.

NTA top leadership under scanner: Dharmendra Pradhan

NTA top leadership under scanner: Dharmendra Pradhan

Rediff.com22 Jun 2024

The 'top leadership' of the National Testing Agency is under the scanner over alleged irregularities in competitive exams National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and National Eligibility Test, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday even as he denied any paper leak in the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-University Grants Commission NET, which was postponed a day ago.

'Ratan and I Were Good Chums'

'Ratan and I Were Good Chums'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

Arun Maira who worked for 25 years with the Tata Group, remembers his early years with Ratan Tata.

Centre notifies new law amid paper leak row

Centre notifies new law amid paper leak row

Rediff.com22 Jun 2024

The notification of the Act comes just a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was asked when the legislation would be implemented. The minister had said the law ministry was framing the rules.

Amazon India lands in another mess

Amazon India lands in another mess

Rediff.com23 Dec 2021

Domestic traders body CAIT on Thursday claimed that e-commerce major Amazon's plan to acquire Prione Business Services - its joint venture firm with Catamaran - will be a violation of foreign direct investment policy. Amazon has said it will acquire Prione Business Services, subject to requisite regulatory approvals. In August, Amazon and NR Narayana Murthy's Catamaran had announced that they will not continue their joint venture Prione Business Services beyond May 2022.

Former wrestler Narsingh Yadav elected chairman

Former wrestler Narsingh Yadav elected chairman

Rediff.com24 Apr 2024

Former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Narsingh Pancham Yadav was elected chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India's Athletes' Commission in Varanasi on Wednesday, completing a process that was mandated by the sport's world governing body.

Tribunal stays Rs 169 cr penalty on Oyo

Tribunal stays Rs 169 cr penalty on Oyo

Rediff.com22 Nov 2022

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Tuesday stayed a Rs 169 crore penalty imposed on Oravel Stays Ltd by the competition commission of India (CCI). Oravel Stays Ltd operates under the brand name Oyo. However, a two-member NCLAT bench while admitting the appeal filed by Oravel Stays Ltd (OSL) directed to deposit of 10 per cent of the penalty amount within six weeks.

'Blockchain, algorithmic collusion challenges'

'Blockchain, algorithmic collusion challenges'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2023

'Global coordination, convergence, market complexities and dynamics and cross-border enforcement compound the existing challenges we face.'

SC will hear Google's plea against tribunal order on Jan 18

SC will hear Google's plea against tribunal order on Jan 18

Rediff.com16 Jan 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will hear on January 18 a plea of US tech giant Google against an order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) refusing an interim stay on the competition regulator imposing a Rs 1,337 crore penalty on it. The NCLAT, on January 4, had refused an interim stay on an order of the competition regulator and had asked Google to deposit 10 per cent of the amount. The NCLAT admitted the search giant's challenge to the CCI slapping a Rs 1,337.76 crore fine for abusing the dominant position of its Android smartphone operating system in the country.

With Paytm deal, Zomato spices up growth menu

With Paytm deal, Zomato spices up growth menu

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

Food delivery platform Zomato has laid the foundation for its third vertical of growth by agreeing to acquire Paytm's entertainment and ticketing business, said analysts on Thursday (August 22). Zomato, which also runs a quick commerce business called Blinkit, will strengthen its 'going out' offering but the acquisition may take time to yield results, they said. "Paytm's entertainment and ticketing arm will be part of Zomato's District app, which is due to be launched in the coming weeks.

Results review: PSBs' net profit grows 16% to Rs 39,974 crore in Q1

Results review: PSBs' net profit grows 16% to Rs 39,974 crore in Q1

Rediff.com13 Aug 2024

Public sector banks (PSBs) posted 16.1 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in net profit at Rs 39,974 crore during the June 2024 quarter. While net interest income (NII) showed subdued growth of 7.1 per cent, provisions and contingencies declined by 10.5 per cent Y-o-Y. This aided the bottom line to show steady growth.

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Rediff.com17 May 2023

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has named Ravneet Kaur, a Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1988 batch, as chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Kaur will hold the post for five years or until attaining the age of 65. She is the second woman to serve in an 'economic regulator' role after Madhabi Puri Buch, who was appointed chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India last year and the first woman to head the country's chief national competition regulator.

NTA announces new dates for 3 crucial exams, including UGC-NET

NTA announces new dates for 3 crucial exams, including UGC-NET

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday night announced the new dates of cancelled and postponed examinations, including the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test, amid a raging row over alleged irregularities in their conduct.

Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony Plans Unveiled

Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony Plans Unveiled

Rediff.com8 Mar 2024

Paris 2024 opening ceremony to start at 7.30 p.m. local time

UltraTech acquisition fuels market consolidation talks

UltraTech acquisition fuels market consolidation talks

Rediff.com5 Jul 2024

Ultratech Cement's acquisition of a 23 per cent stake in Tamil Nadu-based India Cements is another instance of growing consolidation in the cement market in India. The deal will raise Ultratech's share, based on India Cements' revenues in FY24, in the domestic market by 230 basis points if the latter is formally acquired by the former in due course. India Cements' share was up 11.5 per cent on Thursday on market expectations of an open offer.

PayU calls off $4.7 bn acquisition of BillDesk

PayU calls off $4.7 bn acquisition of BillDesk

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

Prosus NV, which owns PayU, has terminated a $4.7 billion (about Rs 38,400 crore) deal to acquire Indian payments firm BillDesk, saying certain conditions precedent were not met. Prosus, the global investment arm of South African multinational Nasper, had on August 31 last year announced acquisition of BillDesk in an all-cash deal to expand its footprint in India's booming fintech sector under the umbrella of its payment gateway PayU.

Union Budget 2024-25: MSMEs bat for Rs 5,000 crore export booster

Union Budget 2024-25: MSMEs bat for Rs 5,000 crore export booster

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

India SME Forum, an organisation for small and medium businesses, has called for creating a dedicated fund of Rs 5000 crore for the export capacity development, promotion, and marketing of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in its Budget recommendation. The forum for MSMEs with over 98,000 members said that to enhance India's global competitiveness and increase its market share in global exports, it was "crucial to increase the number of active exporters and enable at least 3-4 lakh first-time micro, small, and medium exporters while supporting them in promoting Indian products globally."

India's biggest media company is born. $10 bn Zee-Sony merger gets NCLT nod

India's biggest media company is born. $10 bn Zee-Sony merger gets NCLT nod

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday allowed the merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd and Culver Max Entertainment (earlier known as Sony Pictures Networks India). This order by the Mumbai bench, headed by H V Subba Rao and Madhu Sinha, will pave the way for the creation of a $10-billion media company, the biggest in the country. The tribunal also dismissed all objections regarding the merger.

CCI nods Reliance's Rs 2,850 crore buy of Metro's India biz

CCI nods Reliance's Rs 2,850 crore buy of Metro's India biz

Rediff.com14 Mar 2023

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday said it has approved Reliance Retail Venture's acquisition of German firm Metro AG's wholesale operations in India. Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) while Metro Cash & Carry India is engaged in the wholesale operations in India. In December last year, it was announced that RRVL had signed definitive agreements to acquire a 100 per cent equity stake in the company for a total cash consideration of Rs 2,850 crore.

Can Uday Shankar Recreate At Reliance-Disney What He Did In Star TV?

Can Uday Shankar Recreate At Reliance-Disney What He Did In Star TV?

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

'The whole narrative will change from TV is dying to TV-plus-digital is the future.'

Wrestling restarts, elections get fair, wrestlers get a voice

Wrestling restarts, elections get fair, wrestlers get a voice

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

The WFI will resume national camp from March 27, after after almost 16 months with Sonepat and Gandhinagar in Gujarat to be the likely venues for men and women respectively.

Modi's goal to make India high-income country by 2047 unlikely: Financial Times expert

Modi's goal to make India high-income country by 2047 unlikely: Financial Times expert

Rediff.com5 Jul 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of making India a high-income economy by 2047 is unlikely to be achieved, but the country should become an upper middle-income nation by then, Financial Times chief economics commentator Martin Wolf said on Friday. Wolf further said that India would also become a superpower by 2047. "India wishes to become a high-income country by 2047.

Fintech major PhonePe takes on Google, Apple with homegrown Indus Appstore

Fintech major PhonePe takes on Google, Apple with homegrown Indus Appstore

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

Fintech major PhonePe on Wednesday announced the launch of its homegrown Indus Appstore specifically for the Indian market, in a bid to compete with global incumbents like Google Play Store and Apple's App Store. The Indus Appstore is PhonePe's attempt at creating a more competitive and localised mobile app store economy for India, which is already the world's largest market for mobile apps.

Tribunal directs Google to pay 10% of Rs 1,337.76 cr CCI penalty

Tribunal directs Google to pay 10% of Rs 1,337.76 cr CCI penalty

Rediff.com4 Jan 2023

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday directed Google to pay 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76-crore penalty imposed on the tech giant by fair trade regulator CCI. A two-member bench, however, declined to grant any immediate stay the operations of Competition Commission of India (CCI) penalty and said it would pass any order after hearing out other parties. The appellate tribunal has issued notices to CCI and directed to list the matter on February 13, for hearing over interim stay.

Cipla, Torrent may need to divest 15 brands in buyout deal: Bernstein

Cipla, Torrent may need to divest 15 brands in buyout deal: Bernstein

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

As the market buzzes with news of Cipla promoters exiting the business through a stake sale and Ahmedabad-based Mehta family-led Torrent Pharmaceuticals racing to acquire its rival, Cipla, an analysis reveals that if the deal were to go through, both companies might need to divest as many as 15 brands to comply with Competition Commission of India (CCI) norms. A recent analysis by Bernstein shows that Cipla and Torrent share a presence in 332 products (based on product and molecule data from market research firm IQVIA). Bernstein analysts Nithya Balasubramanian and Parth Shah noted that, while this may appear as a high number, a significant portion of these products lack significance.

ED allowed to share information about economic offenders with 15 more agencies

ED allowed to share information about economic offenders with 15 more agencies

Rediff.com28 Nov 2022

The government has allowed the Enforcement Directorate to share information about economic offenders with 15 more agencies, including SFIO, CCI and NIA, a move that will expedite nailing of law-breakers. The finance ministry notified changes to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on November 22. Through the notification, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which deals primarily with cases of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws, would be able to share data with a total of 25 agencies, including the 10 specified earlier.