Guwahati: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered 17 companies to stop any involvement in anti-competitive conduct connected to electrical work tenders issued by Assam Police for police station buildings across the state.
The regulator said that firms, including MS Purbanchal Enterprize and others, were found to have engaged in coordinated bidding for both internal and external electrification projects under the Assam government’s MOITRI (Mission for Overall Improvement of Thanas for Responsive Image) scheme.
The case emerged after a complaint was filed in August 2020 by the Office of the Accountant General (Audit), Assam, alleging possible collusion in contracts awarded by the Assam Police Housing Corporation Ltd.
Following a detailed review, the CCI concluded that all 17 entities had worked together in a coordinated manner to weaken fair competition by aligning bids and influencing the tender process.
The investigation identified several indicators of coordination, including identical errors in bid documents, matching IP addresses, telephone records showing communication between bidders, and demand drafts issued in sequential order, all suggesting organised collusion.
In its ruling, the commission ordered the companies and their proprietors to immediately stop such practices, stating that these actions violated competition law.
It also held them liable under the relevant provisions of the Competition Act, with penalties and further legal consequences applicable under Section 48.
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