CCI penalises 7 firms for bid rigging in SBI tender

(Photo/PIB)

New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (‘CCI’) passed a final order against seven entities for indulging in an anti-competitive agreement for the supply of signages for branches/offices/ATMs of the State Bank of India (SBI).

Amongst these seven entities, one party was a lesser penalty applicant before the CCI. 

This matter was initiated suo motu by CCI on the basis of a complaint received in 2018 alleging bid-rigging and cartelisation in the tender floated by SBI Infra Management Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

The investigation inter alia found e-mails exchanged between the parties, which formed the basis for manipulation of the bidding process.

Based on a cumulative assessment of the evidence collected, CCI found that there was an agreement amongst the parties, which resulted in geographical market allocation as well as bid-rigging in the above-mentioned tender of the SBI.

Accordingly, all the parties were held to be guilty of contravention of the provisions of Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002 (the Act), which prohibits anti-competitive agreements including cartels.

Further, 9 (nine) individuals of these parties were also held liable for the anti-competitive conduct of their respective entities, in terms of the provisions of Section 48 of the Act.

Considering that one party has filed a lesser penalty application besides cooperating during the investigation as well as inquiry process and that most of the parties are MSMEs – some of which even acknowledged their conduct during the inquiry, CCI took a lenient view and decided to impose penalty upon the parties @ 1% of their respective average turnover.

The individuals found guilty under Section 48 of the Act were also imposed a penalty @1% of their respective average incomes. Further, considering the stage at which the lesser penalty applicant approached the CCI and in light of the co-operation extended by it thereafter, CCI granted a reduction in penalty by 90% to it and its individuals.

Apart from the above, CCI also directed the parties and their respective officials to cease and desist from indulging in anti-competitive conduct.

A copy of the order in Suo Motu Case No. 02 of 2020 is available on CCI’s website at this link. (Press Release)

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