CCI orders anti-trust probe against Monsanto arm

Finding prima-facie violation of competition law, fair trade regulator CCI has ordered a detailed probe into alleged abuse of dominance by an Indian arm of the US-based genetically modified seed giant Monsanto. The majority order, passed by six out of seven members including Chairman of the Competition Commission, follows two separate complaints filed against Mahyco Monsanto Biotech India Limited (MMBL) – one by the Agriculture Ministry and another by three domestic seed companies – alleging abuse of dominance in the country’s Bt cotton seeds market.