CCI orders probe against IREL (India) for alleged abuse of dominant position

New Delhi: Competition Commission has ordered a detailed probe against state-owned IREL (India) Ltd, which is into mining and production of minerals, for alleged abuse of dominant position.

It was alleged that IREL abused its dominant position by indulging in prohibitive increase in the sillimanite prices by following discriminatory pricing against the interests of the micro, small and medium enterprises in the domestic market.

The informant also alleged that the company favoured multi-nationals and/or foreign parties and fixed the supply of sillimanite as per its whims and fancies and forcing its customer to accept arbitrary quantity.

Competition Commission of India (CCI) said that based on facts and circumstances of the present case, it is prima facie noted that OP is the only entity engaged in the mining and supply of beach sand mineral in India, which allows it to operate independently of the market forces.

IREL (India) is the Opposite Party (OP) and Section 4 of the Competition Act pertains to abuse of dominant position.

The watchdog has ordered a probe by its investigation arm Director General (DG) against the company.