CAIT calls Competition Commission of India an inefficient regulator for dropping Amazon case

New Delhi, Mar 9 (KNN) The Confederation Of All India Traders (CAIT) has criticized Competition Commission of India (CCI) and called it an inefficient regulator for dropping investigation against Amazon for violations pertaining to selling private labels on its portal.

“CCI has failed as it is incapable of discharging duties as an Anti- Trust Regulator,” CAIT said in a press release.

CAIT has demanded an in-depth study of working of the CCI and remedial measures to make it a more efficient and accountable regulator like TRAI, SEBI etc.

National President B.C.Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal of CAIT said that it is highly unfortunate that the CCI has dropped such an important investigation against law offender Amazon after starting a suo- moto case based on a global news agency's report which was published on 13th October, 2021 and CCI took Suo- Moto cognisance on 21st October passing an order seeking details from Amazon.

They further added that the agency report was absolutely unambiguous and crystal clear highlighting how Amazon was pushing its own private label business when it is supposed to perform only as a Marketplace as per FDI norms.

CAIT said it believes that CCI did not ask the agency to substantiate its charges referred to in its published article and an ex parte order was passed by the CCI which violates the norms of principle of natural justice.  

"We are at a loss to understand why the Government ITS agencies are keeping a complete silence on the daylight violations of policy, rules and laws by Amazon and others,” said both leaders.

The DPIIT is primarily responsible to safeguard India’s internal trade but it is a matter of grave concern that Indian traders are fast losing faith in the efficacy of DPIIT as well as there is no sign of early roll out of long pending e-commerce policy, said CAIT.  (KNN Bureau)