42 nd National Convention of Company Secretaries, Kolkata MARKET CHALLENGES- DYNAMIC BUSINESS ENVIORNMENT AND ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS

© 2014 Luthra & Luthra Law Offices

G R Bhatia Partner & Head Competition Law Practice Group, Luthra & Luthra Law Offices, 22 nd New Delhi August, 2014

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Nature of Markets

   Markets by their very nature are unstable, volatile and dynamic; With the passage of time  market structure changes  entry/exit of economic actors variation in demand and supply    Pressure of import and opportunities for exports technology changes  consumer preferences change The above factors change the traits, features, conditions and dynamics of the market.

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Responsibility of the State

     Rule of law necessitates proper governance of markets; the regulator endeavors to align regulation and do not allow regulatory regime to become turtle; The business ingenuity, however runs at a pace faster than that of a regulator Various regulators are entrusted to regulate assigned sectors; Regulators such as 

SEBI

    

RBI CERC IRDA PNGRB TRAI

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In the words of Adam Smith…

“There is an immense need to have a proper regulatory mechanism for prevention of anti-competitive agreement which not only affect the market economy leading to monopolistic approach but also victimizes the consumers and thereby cause harm to the entire economy creating hindrance to the competition in the market.”

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Regulatory Regime

   Sector specific regulator determines number of operators, fixes tariffs, provides for sunset clause; Regulator may also be a player in the market; Regulator- generally created by a statute and occasionally, a non statutory body- BCCI www.luthra.com

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Competition Commission of India

      Not specific to any sector and not a player in the market; Competition is benign; Competition brings prosperity; Competition in markets brings incremental benefit to GDP; Seeks to promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India; Prohibits dominant anti-competitive position by combinations.

agreements, enterprises and abuse of regulates www.luthra.com

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Contd.

     Maintaining free and fair competition is a challenge; Need for law and an umpire is imperative; Empowered to impose penalties on delinquents and block anti-competitive mergers; Applicable to all sectors of the economy; sovereign functions including activities relating to atomic energy, currency, defense and space are exempted from the discipline of law www.luthra.com

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Unique Features of Competition Regime

     ‘consumer’ has wide connotation; ‘enterprise’ departments; includes government Inquiry can be initiated suo motu; Effect based approach; Relevant market is key to determine dominance of an enterprise; www.luthra.com

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Market for Inputs

      A business house is a consumer/buyer; Efficient buying of inputs is key to success; Many a times suppliers of inputs indulge in collusion in respect of price or quantity; Input supplier maybe dominant in the relevant market; A dominant supplier may exercise dominance while supplying inputs CCI provides a platform to address these concerns; www.luthra.com

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Jurisprudence

     Builders Association makers; of India v. Cement Manufacturers Association and Ors (2012) penalty of Rs 6300 crores on 11 cement LPG cylinders case; Coal India v. Explosives Suppliers; Faridabad industries association v. Adani gas limited; Kapoor Glass Private Limited v. Schott Glass India Private Limited (2012)- penalty of Rs 5.66 crores; www.luthra.com

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Market for Outputs

    Assess your position in the relevant market; Ask yourself a question ‘Am I dominant?’ Dominance is determined on the basis –  Market share   Size and resources Size and resources of competitor  Monopoly conferred by statute or advantage of head-start Abusive conducts by a dominant player are prohibited; www.luthra.com

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Contd.

 Unless justifiable on the touchstone of competition, the following conducts are prohibited  Tie-in sale  Exclusive supply    Exclusive distribution Resale price maintenance Refusal to supply www.luthra.com

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Case laws

    DLF Limited- penalty of 630 crores M/s Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd. v. M/s Mahanadi Coalfields penalty of Rs 1773 crores MCX Stock Exchange v. NSE- penalty of Rs 55.5 crores M/s Peeveear Medical Agencies, Kerela v.

AIOCD www.luthra.com

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Heightened risk

       Leniency mechanism to bust cartel; DG’s power to undertake search and seizure; Third parties information; mandated to furnish MoU with matured jurisdictions; Tightening of investigation procedures; Invoking suo motu powers Media hype www.luthra.com

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Role of Company Secretaries

   Compliance with competition law is imperative; Need for and usefulness of having a CCP; Compartments of CCP are:  Review all trade agreements;    Impart training on competition law Put in place competition compliance manual Prepare ready reckoner of Do’s and Don'ts for employees www.luthra.com

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Important to remember…

“One size does not fit all” www.luthra.com

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