Competition Commission of India finds conduct and practice of coal and sand transportation companies to be in contravention of the Competition Law; The parties have been directed to cease and desist from indulging in anti-competitive conduct; A total penalty of Rs. 11,81,71,260 imposed on the ten parties; Penalty also imposedon the eight officials of the said parties who were found to be liable in terms of Section 48 of the Act.
The Informant, Western Coalfields Limited, had approached Competition Commission of India (Commission) alleging bid-rigging by SSV Coal Carriers Private Limited, M/s Bimal Kumar Khandelwal, M/s Pravin Transport, M/s Khandelwal Transport, M/s Khandelwal Earth Movers, M/s Khanduja Coal Transport Co., M/s Punya Coal Road Lines, M/s B. Himmatlal Agrawal, M/s Punjab Transport Co. and Avaneesh Logistics Private Limited, upon noticing identical price quotes given by them in four tenders floated for coal and sand transportation. It was alleged that the conduct of submitting identical bids at higher rates is a blatant act of bid rigging.