Anti-competitive practices to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore by Flipkart and Amazon: CAIT

Competition Commission of India: Confederation for All India Trers (CAIT), apex body representing tring community in India, has written to chairman of Competition Commission of India (CCI), Ravneet Kaur, seeking action against Flipkart and Amazon. request comes in wake of a case filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh in November 2019, alleging serious anti-competitive practices by se e-commerce giants.

In letter, CAIT highlights that Flipkart and Amazon have been accused of monopolising sales of mobile phones through exclusive launch events and engaging in practices detrimental to interests of small trers. se practices include creation of entities solely for invoicing purposes, deep discounting, exclusive tie-ups, preferential listing, and promotion of private labels.

“As per our information, passage of every month would mean allowing anti-competitive practices to tune of Rs 25,000 crore by Flipkart and Amazon and a corresponding loss of livelihood for retailers and small trers,” said CAIT in its statement.

“This has been our stance for past several years,” CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal told Republic Business.

letter emphasises that such practices need to be dressed urgently to protect interests of small trers and ensure fair competition in market.

letter also references litigation history of case, detailing proceedings before CCI and appellate courts. Despite initial challenges and legal hurdles faced by CCI, Supreme Court of India allowed CCI to proceed with its investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices by Amazon and Flipkart.

CAIT expressed confidence in CCI's ability to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against e-commerce giants. letter underscores importance of dressing se issues promptly to safeguard interests of small trers and promote fair competition in e-commerce sector.