We are very happy to have a full quorum: CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur

Ravneet Kaur, CCI Chairperson, said that the commission has always decided cases together and does not have a system where different benches sit to decide different cases

Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on October 10 said that they were happy to have a full quorum to hear and dispose of cases.

"CCI is meant to be an authority, which has a chairperson and three members, we are very happy that we are now a full quorum," she said. Kaur further said that the commission has always decided cases together and does not have a system where different benches sit to decide different cases, hence a full quorum would not result in deadlock in deciding cases.

On September 19, the government appointed three new members to CCI, merely days after the retirement of member Sangeeta Verma. Lawyers noted that swift appointments reflect on the importance that India places on the role of the trade watchdog in the global context.

The Competition Act 2002 mandates a three-member quorum of the CCI to pass combination orders and the same strength to pass anti-trust orders. The CCI now has a chairperson plus three members.

Kaur further noted that the CCI has started hearing cases in full swing and these appointments will ensure that the cases reach finality soon. She also hailed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) role in the quick disposal of appeals against the orders of CCI, thereby making enforcement effective. Kaur noted that a dedicated bench at NCLAT to hear competition act-related cases has greatly benefited the regulator.

Over 600 delegates to attend BRICS ICC 2023

Addressing the media at a curtain raiser event for the upcoming  BRICS International Competition Conference (ICC) 2023, the CCI chairperson said that over 600 delegates from the competition authorities of BRICS and non-BRICS nations, competition law experts, non-government advisors and domestic invitees are expected to participate.

The BRICS ICC will be hosted by CCI and the theme for this edition of the conference is ‘New Issues in Competition Law and Policy – Dimensions, Perspectives, Challenges’, the conference will be held between October 11 and 13.

"The conference aims to discuss various emerging issues and challenges in competition enforcement in BRICS countries and take forward the agenda of cooperation among the BRICS competition authorities," Kaur said. Joint reports on the leniency programme and digital economy will be released and discussed, she added.

Justice (retd) Ashok Bhushan, Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) will deliver the keynote address.

The heads of BRICS competition authorities will address the closing ceremony on October 13 and sign a joint statement.