MARKET STUDIES/RESEARCH PROJECTS: PROCEDURE & METHODOLOGY COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA

G.R.Bhatia, Addl.Director General, Competition Commission of India, New Delhi.

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AIMS & OBJECTS

As a prelude to enforcement & as a part of competition advocacy, the Commission has decided to outsource Market Studies/Research Projects to:
to gain insight into the structure of various sectors and the anti-competitive practices prevailing therein, to identify policies and practices of Government which impede competition, to incorporate empirical analysis of successful overseas anti-trust cases, to incorporate remedial action/suggestions, and to use the deliverables as a part of advocacy.
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Advisory Committee has representation from trade & industry, regulatory authority, government and has economists, lawyers and management school expert

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Commission has set up an Advisory Committee;
to define the scope/methodology of the studies, to identify and recommend research institute/researcher, to assess and evaluate the study, to determine the consideration payable for the research, and to advise on incidental and attendant matters.
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SIGNIFICANT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The research shall be applied research, The research in systematic manner shall be in areas prioritized, namely,
(a) Policies of Government regarding competition and their effect on consumer welfare and economic growth; (b) State of competition in manufacturing/service sector and in commodity markets; (c) Competition in regulated sectors, (d) Impact of public sector undertakings on competition, (e) Competition Law economics of competition and law of competition,

The Commission was advised to call for research programmes on identified areas from reputed institutions/organizations.
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To assign studies to as many institutions as practically feasible to ensure capacity building all around without putting extra load on any researcher, Advisory Committee will meet once in three months.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The Commission requested 62 renowned/reputed institutions to furnish Expression of Interest to undertake studies on areas prioritized. The Commission received 30 proposals in response. The Advisory Committee considered these proposals in its 3 meetings and has since recommended the 8 proposals.
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RECOMMENDED PROPOSALS
(1) Cartelization in Trucking Industry by Prof.S.Sriraman. (2) Competition Policy in Telecommunication by Prof.Subhashish Gupta. (3) Assessing State of Competition in Indias 6 manufacturing sectors by JNU. (4) State of Competition in Passenger Transportation by NCAER. (5) Competition Issues in Energy Sector by TERI. (6) State of Competition in Food Grain (Northern Region) by Prof.Abhijit Banerji. (7) State of Competition in Food Grain (Eastern Region) by Prof.B.N.Verma (8) State of Competition in the Indian Manufacturing Sector by IEG. In respect of 2 market studies, it has called for revised proposals.
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FUNDING OF MARKET STUDIES

Some studies are funded by World Bank out of IDF Grant, Some studies are funded by FIAS and DFID Rest are funded by CCI.

EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT
The standardized terms and conditions of market studies agreement have been endorsed by the Government and a legal counsel. The standardized terms and conditions have also been okayed by Word Bank except for schedule of payments.

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