IndiGo Faces CCI Scrutiny Over Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices

सही उत्तर: A

Statement 1 is correct: The CCI is a statutory body established under Section 7 of the Competition Act, 2002. Statement 2 is correct: As per the Preamble of the Competition Act, 2002, its objective is to prevent practices having an adverse effect on competition, to promote and sustain competition in markets, to protect the interests of consumers and to ensure freedom of trade. Statement 3 is correct: Section 19 of the Competition Act, 2002, empowers the CCI to inquire into anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position either on its own motion (suo motu), or on receipt of information from any person, consumer association or trade association, or on a reference from the Central Government or a State Government. Statement 4 is incorrect: Appeals against the orders of the CCI lie with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), not directly with the Supreme Court. Only after NCLAT's decision can an appeal be made to the Supreme Court.

सही उत्तर: B

The Competition Act, 2002, prohibits the abuse of dominant position. Section 4 of the Act lists various instances of abuse. Option A is generally a healthy competitive practice, not an abuse. Option B describes 'predatory pricing', which is explicitly listed as an abuse of dominant position under Section 4(2)(a)(ii) of the Act. It involves a dominant enterprise selling goods or services at a price below cost to eliminate competition, with the intention of recouping losses by raising prices once competitors are driven out. Option C is a pro-competitive action that benefits consumers through innovation. Option D refers to 'combinations' (mergers and acquisitions), which require CCI approval to ensure they do not cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition, but the act of acquisition itself (if approved) is not an abuse of dominant position.

सही उत्तर: B

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) regulates competition across all sectors of the economy, not specifically telecommunications. Telecommunications is primarily regulated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulator for the securities market (capital markets) in India. Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) regulates the insurance sector, not banking. Banking is primarily regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Pair 4 is correctly matched: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) regulates and promotes the pension sector in India. Therefore, only two pairs (2 and 4) are correctly matched.