Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered investigation under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act in respect of information filed by M/s Wardha Power Company Limited (Informant) against Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) and Coal India Limited(CIL). The Informant had alleged that WCL and CIL have abused their dominant position and the various clauses of the Fuel Supply Agreement were discriminatory.

The Commission is of the opinion that prima facie case was made out against WCL and CIL for investigation for contravention of Section 4 of the Competition Act and it is a fit case to be investigated by DG. The report of DG is to be submitted within 60 days from receipt of the order.

The Commission has in the past also ordered investigations against Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries for their alleged anti-competitive conduct in similar Cases no. 05/2013, 07/2013, 37/2013 and 44/2013.

Detailed order can be seen at www.cci.gov.in.

Abuse of dominant position allegations trigger investigation into discriminatory fuel supply agreement clauses and market conduct. Investigation ordered into alleged abuse of dominant position by Western Coalfields Limited and Coal India Limited based on claims that Fuel Supply Agreement clauses were discriminatory; the Commission found a prima facie contravention of Section 4 and directed the Director General to investigate and report within the prescribed timeframe.