Home India The Competition Commission of India In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 36, 57 and 6...
Date: 2022-04-08 Category: Extra Ordinary State: Union Government Country: India

In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 36, 57 and 64 of the Competition Act

Issued by The Competition Commission of India · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Okay, I'm ready to analyze the provided text and generate the report. **Report on the Competition Commission of India General Amendment Regulations, 2022** **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes the Competition Commission of India (CCI) General Amendment Regulations, 2022, specifically Amendment No. 2 of 2022. This amendment, effective from April 8, 2022, focuses on modifying Regulation 35 of the CCI General Regulations, 2009, pertaining to the confidentiality of information and informant identity. The key change revolves around a detailed framework for claiming and maintaining confidentiality, including requirements for justification, self-certification, and the creation of confidentiality rings. The amendment aims to balance the need for transparency with the protection of sensitive commercial information and informant safety within the context of competition proceedings. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Competition Commission of India General Amendment Regulations, 2022, based solely on the information provided in the official gazette notification. This report will focus on the specific changes introduced by the amendment and their likely implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report analyzes an **amendment** to the Competition Commission of India General Regulations, 2009. * **Core Objective(s) (inferred from the text):** The primary objective of this amendment is to establish a more structured and detailed process for handling confidential information and protecting the identity of informants in proceedings before the Competition Commission of India. It seeks to balance the need for open proceedings with the protection of legitimate business interests and informant safety. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment to Regulation 35 likely addresses perceived inadequacies or ambiguities in the original regulations concerning confidentiality claims and informant protection. The detail added suggests a need for greater clarity and standardization of procedures related to confidentiality, potentially driven by past experiences where confidentiality claims were either insufficiently justified or inconsistent. Additionally, the provisions regarding confidentiality rings and access to information suggest a desire to streamline the process of sharing sensitive information among parties while maintaining security and preventing misuse. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the changes introduced by the amendment to Regulation 35: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** Regulation 35 of the Competition Commission of India General Regulations, 2009, is *substituted* entirely by the new provisions outlined in the amendment. * **New Rule/Provision:** * **Informant Confidentiality:** The Commission shall maintain confidentiality of the informant, but can disclose the identity after providing a reasonable opportunity to the informant if necessary for the purposes of the Act. * **Confidentiality Claims:** Parties seeking confidentiality must provide "cogent reasons" and self-certify that disclosure would result in disclosure of trade secrets, destruction/diminution of commercial value, or serious injury. This self-certification must include confirmation that the information is not public, is known only to a limited group, that adequate security measures are in place, and it cannot be easily acquired or duplicated. The party must also provide an undertaking certifying the claims. * **Document Handling:** A complete version of confidential documents must be filed with specific markings ("restriction of publication claimed" and "confidential" in red ink), along with a non-confidential version with redactions clearly indicated. * **Segregation of Documents:** Confidential documents must be segregated and securely stored, including a notation of the date on which confidential treatment expires. Specific categories like search and seizure materials, email dumps, and call detail records must be marked confidential and kept separately. * **Confidentiality Rings:** The Commission may establish Confidentiality Rings comprising authorized representatives of parties who can access unredacted information under Regulation 37, with specific limitations as the commission deems fit. Undertakings from members of the Confidentiality Ring are required, preventing disclosure or misuse of the information, and mandating its destruction after proceedings. Separate undertakings on the same terms must be provided to the party whose confidential information is being accessed. * **Informant Access:** Informants are generally excluded from Confidentiality Rings but may be included if deemed necessary. * **Order/Decision Versions:** If an order/decision includes confidential information, two versions must be created: a complete confidential version and a non-confidential version for parties and public records. * **Duty of Confidentiality:** Any person privy to confidential information (including Commission officers, DG officers, and external experts) must maintain confidentiality and can only use the information for the purposes of the Act. Breach of confidentiality can result in disciplinary action or termination of engagement. * **Effect of the Change:** The amendment introduces a far more detailed and formalized procedure for claiming, maintaining, and accessing confidential information, and for protection of informants, replacing the previous, presumably less prescriptive, version of Regulation 35. This places a greater burden of proof on parties claiming confidentiality but also provides a more structured framework for the Commission to manage sensitive information. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Parties involved in proceedings before the Competition Commission of India (i.e., companies, organizations, individuals). * Informants providing information to the Commission. * Authorized representatives of parties involved in competition cases. * The Competition Commission of India itself, including its officers and employees, as well as the Director General (DG) office. * External experts and professionals engaged by the Commission. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is the primary body responsible for implementing and enforcing these amended regulations. The Director General (DG) office is also implicated in the handling of confidential information, particularly material obtained through search and seizure. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment specifies procedures for claiming confidentiality (providing reasons, self-certification, filing complete and redacted versions), establishing confidentiality rings, and handling confidential documents. It also indicates that the regulations come into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette (April 8, 2022). The term of confidential treatment shall expire on a date self-certified by the claiming party. * **Implementation of changes specifically:** The CCI will need to develop internal protocols and guidelines to ensure consistent application of the new procedures for confidentiality claims, confidentiality rings, and document handling. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes are: * **Increased Clarity and Consistency:** The detailed procedures for claiming and maintaining confidentiality should lead to greater consistency in how such claims are handled by the Commission. * **Reduced Information Asymmetry:** The use of Confidentiality Rings, with controlled access to unredacted information, aims to reduce information asymmetry between parties in proceedings, allowing for more informed participation and argument. * **Enhanced Protection of Trade Secrets and Sensitive Information:** The rigorous self-certification requirements and safeguards for confidential documents are designed to better protect legitimate trade secrets and commercially sensitive information from unwarranted disclosure. * **Greater Informant Protection:** By creating clearer rules about when informant identity can be disclosed, the amendment aims to protect informants and encourage them to provide information to the Commission. * **Improved Efficiency of Proceedings:** While the new procedures may initially add complexity, they are ultimately intended to streamline the handling of confidential information and facilitate more efficient proceedings. **9. Conclusion:** The Competition Commission of India General Amendment Regulations, 2022, represent a significant refinement of the rules governing confidentiality and informant protection within competition proceedings. By establishing a more detailed and structured framework, the amendment aims to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency in the enforcement of competition law. The changes will likely have a notable impact on parties involved in proceedings before the CCI, requiring them to carefully consider and justify any claims of confidentiality. The significance of these changes lies in their potential to promote a more balanced and informed approach to competition law enforcement, protecting both the interests of businesses and the public good.

Key Entities Referenced

NEW DELHI: Capital of India, place of publication of the Gazette notification. Competition Act, 2002: Indian law under which the Competition Commission of India derives its powers. Specifically Sections 36, 57 and 64 of the Act are mentioned. Competition Commission of India: An Indian regulatory body established to enforce the Competition Act, 2002. The notification pertains to amendments to its General Regulations. Competition Commission of India General Amendment Regulations, 2022: The specific regulations being introduced or amended by this notification. Competition Commission of India General Regulations, 2009: The principal regulations being amended by the 2022 Amendment Regulations. Official Gazette: The official government publication in which the regulations are published. Director General: Referring to the report of the Director General. Section 17 of the Act: Referring to powers of the commission regarding officer and employees. Section 16 of the Act: Referring to powers of the central government regarding officers. Jyoti Jindgar: Secretary of the Competition Commission of India, as indicated by 'Secy. IC' at the end of the notification. Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi: Place where document was printed. Controller of Publications, Delhi: Publisher of the document.
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रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 ससीी..जजीी..--डडीी..एएलल..--अअ..--0088004422002222--223344998811 xxxGIDHxxx CCGG--DDLL--EE--0088004422002222--223344998811 xxxGIDExxx असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY भाग III—खण् ड 4 PART III—Section 4 प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY स.ं 187] नई दिल्ली, िुक्रिार, अप्रलै 8, 2022/चत्रै 18, 1944 No. 187] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022/CHAITRA 18, 1944 भारत का प्रजतस्ट्प धा ा योगग अजधसचू ना नई दिल् ली, 8 अप्रलै , 2022 भारत का प्रजतस्ट्प धा ा योगग साधारण) सिं गधन जिजनोम, 2022 2022 की स.ं 2) स.ं एल-3 2)/जिजनोम-साधारण सिं ग.)/2022/सीसीयई.—भारत का प्रजतस्ट् पधा ा योगग, प्रजतस्ट् पधाा अजधजनोम, 2002 (2003 का 12) के खंड 36, 57 और 64 द्वारा प्रित् त िजतियो का प्रोगग करते ुए, भारत का प्रजतस्ट् पधा ा योगग साधारण) जिजनोम, 2009 म ें और संिगधन करन े के जलए एतद्द्वारा जनम्न जलजखत जिजनोम बनाता ह ै अर्ाा त:् 1. संजिप् त नाम एिं यरंभ.- 1) इन जिजनोम का संजिप् त नाम भारत का प्रजतस्ट् पधाा योगग साधारण) संिगधन जिजनोम, 2022 ह।ै 2) ो ेरािपत्र में इनके प्रकािन की तारीख स ेप्रिृत् त ह गे। 2. भारत का प्रजतस्ट् पधाा योगग साधारण) जिजनोम, 2009 म,ें जिजनोम 35 में जनम् नजलजखत प्रजतस्ट् र्ाजपत दकोा िाएगा:- (1) योगग दकसी सूचना िेन े िाल े व् ोजतिय की इसकी जलजखत म ें अनुरगध दको े िान े पर उसकी पहचान की गगपनीोता बनाए रखगे ा। 2518 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] परंतु िहा ं अजधजनोम के प्रोगिन के जलए सूचना िेन े िाले व् ोजतिय की पहचान प्रकट करना यिश् ोक ोा समीचीन ह,ै िहां योगग सूचना िेन े िाल े व् ोजतिय कग योगग के समि अपना मामला प्रस्ट् तुत करने के जलए ोुजतियोुक्त अिसर िने े के उपरांत उसकी पहचान प्रकट करेगा। (2) कगई पिकार उसके द्वारा प्रस्ट्त ुत सूचना ोा िस्ट्तािेि पर गगपनीोता की मांग करता ह ै तग िह ऐसे व् ोिहार के जलए अकाट्य कारण िेगा और स्ट्िो ं प्रमाजणत करेगा दक दकसी िस्ट्तािेि ोा िस्ट्तािेि ोा सूचना ोा उसके दकसी भाग ोा भाग कग गगपनीो न रखन े के पररणामस्ट् िरूप व्यापार रहस्ट्ो का प्रकटन हगगा ोा दकसी सूचना के िाजणजयोक मूल्ो म ें बबाा िी हगगी ोा सारिान कमी हगगी ोा उससे ोुजतियोुक् त रूप से कगई गंभीर िजत हगन े की यिंका ह।ै इसके अजतररक्त , पिकार स्ट्ि-प्रमाणन के यधार पर, उस तारीख के सार् जिसकग ऐसा गगपनीो व् ोिहार समाप् त हग िाएगा, जनम्नजलजखत की पुजि करेगा: (क) दक सूचना सािा िजनक प्रभाि िेत्र में उपलब् ध नह ह;ै (ख) दक सूचना पिकार के कारबार के सीजमत कमा चाररो , प्रिाोकताा ओं, जितरक और उसमें अतं िा जलत अन् ो व् ोजतियो कग ्ात ह;ै (ग) दक पिकार द्वारा सूचना की गगपनीोता की सुरिा के जलए पोाा प् त उपाो दकोे गो ेह;ं (घ) दक सूचना अन् ो व् ोजतियो द्वारा अ्िा त नह की िा सकती ह ैोा अनुजलजप नह बनाई िा सकती ह।ै गगपनीोता का िािा करने िाला पिकार, ोर्ा उपोुा क् त अपिे ाओं के जनबंधनानुसार िािे प्रमाजणत करते ुए एक िचनबंध प्रिान करेगा और ऐसा िचनबंध ोा तग पिकार स्ट् िों ोा उसका कगई कमा चारी िाजखल करेगा िग संबंजधत पिकार की ओर स े ऐसे प्राजधकार िारी करन े के जलए मडं ल ोा कगई अन् ो समकि जनकाो द्वारा प्राजधकृत हग: परंत ु ोह दक जमथ् ोा िचनबंध प्रस्ट् तुत करन े िाल े पिकार, अजधजनोम के उपबंध के अनुसार, काोा िाही दकोे िाने के भागी ह गे। (3) गगपनीोता का िािा करने िाला पिकार उसके प्रर्म पृष् ठ के पपरी भाग पर लाल स्ट् ोाही में ‘प्रकािन के जनबंधन का िािा’ और प्रत् ोेक पृष्ठ पर पपरी भाग के जनकट स्ट् पष्ट और सुपठनीो रूप म ें ‘गगपनीो’ िब् ि कग जचन् हांदकत करते ुए एक पणू ा पाठ िाजखल करेगा जिसके सार् उसका ‘अगगपनीो’ पाठ भी िाजखल दकोा िाएगा िग संपादित हगगा/जिसमें ऐसी सूचना सूचनाएं) ोा ऐसा िस्ट्त ािेि ऐसे िस्ट् तािेि) ोा उनका भाग उनके भाग) सजम्मजलत नह हगगा ह गे) जिसकी गगपनीोता का िािा दकोा गोा ह।ै (4) ऐसा िस्ट् तािेि ऐसे िस्ट्त ािेि) का अगगपनीो पाठ उस गगपनीो पाठ की सही प्रजत हगगी, जिसमें उपजनजनोम 3) म ेंोर्ा उपबंजधत सुस्ट् पष्ट रीजत म ें उपि्िा त गगपनीो सूचना का लगप हगगा। (5) ऐसा िस्ट् तािेि ऐसे िस्ट् तािेि) ोा उसके भाग उनके भाग) जिनका इस जिजनोम के अधीन गगपनीो हगन े का िािा दकोा गोा ह,ै उसे अगगपनीो अजभलेख स े पर्ृ क दकोा िाएगा और उसे सरु जित रूप स े काोा िाजहो का िीर्ा क, डॉकेट संख् ोा ‘गगपनीो’ रटप् पणी और िह तारीख जलखी िाएगी, जिसकग गगपनीो व् ोिहार की अिजध समाप् त हग िाएगी। परंतु ोह दक जनम्नजलजखत कग ोर्ाजस्ट्र्जत, 'गगपनीो तलािी और िब्ती/ई-मेल डंप/कॉल जडटेल ररकॉड ा यदि)' के रूप में जचन् हांदकत दकोा िाएगा और अलग से रखा िाएगा: (क) तलािी और िब्ती अजभोान के द्वारा प्राप् त िस्ट् तािेि/सामरी; (ख) ई-मेल डंप; (ग) कॉल जडटेल ररकॉड;ा ोा (घ) िैोजतियक सूचना की प्रकृजत म ेंकगई अन् ो िस्ट्त ािेि/सामरी[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3 (6) योगग ोदि यिश् ोक ोा समीचीन समझे, अजधजनोम की धारा 35 के अधीन जिजनर्िष्ा ट प्राजधकृत प्रजतजनजध िग उपजिजनोम 5) म ें ोर्ा उजल्लजखत सूचना तक पुचं रखन े में सिम हगगा िग इन जिजनोम के जिजनोम 37 के जनबंधनानुसार असंपादित स्ट् िरूप में ोर्ापेजित ह,ै सजहत लेदकन ोह तक सीजमत नह , पिकार के ऐसे प्राजधकृत प्रजतजनजध कग जमलाकर गगपनीोता िलो िलो ) कग स्ट् र्ाजपत कर सकेगा। परंत ु ोह दक योगग, गगपनीोता िलो स्ट्र् ाजपत करते समो, पुचं ोगग् ो बनाोे िाने िाली सूचना के सार्-सार् गगपनीोता िलो म ें प्रोगिन के जलए सजम्मजलत हगने िाले पिकार और उनके सिस्ट् ो की सीमा, िग उजचत हग जिजनजित कर सकेगा: परंत ु ोह और दक उपजिजनोम 5) के परंत ु म ें उजल्लजखत िस्ट् तािेि/सामरी जिन पर महाजनिेिक के प्रजतिेिन के गगपनीो पाठ म ें भरगसा दकोा गोा है, गगपनीो िलो के सिस्ट् ो तक पुचं ोगग् ो बनाोा िाएगा। (7) गगपनीोता िलो में सजम्मजलत हगने िाल े पिकार कग उपजिजनोम 6) के जनबंधनानुसार असंपादित सूचना तक पुचं , उनके द्वारा ोह कर्न करत े ुए दक सूचना जिस तक ऐसे िलो के अनुसरण म ें उनके सिस्ट् ो की पुचं ह,ै उसे दकसी अन् ो व् ोजतिय जिसके अंतगा त संबंजधत उद्यम का कगई अजधकारी और/ोा अन् ो कमा चारी ोा संबंजधत उद्यम का कगई सह-उद्यम, अनर्ु ंगी, समूह अजस्ट्तत्ि का कगई अजधकारी और/ोा कमा चारी, ोा कगई अन्ो व् ोजतिय, िग भी हग, भी ह,ं कग साझा नह करेंग े और/ोा प्रकटन नह करेंग े और दक िे ऐसी सूचना और िस्ट्त ािेि का केिल अजधजनोम के अधीन काोा िाजहो के प्रोगिन के जलए ही उपोगग करेंग,े और िे ऐसी सूचना और िस्ट् तािेि कग अपनी एकमात्र अजभरिा के अंतगा त रखेंग,े और िता मान काोा िाजहो की पररणजत पर उस े नष्ट कर िगें ,े पर िचनबंध िाजखल करन े पर प्रिान की िाएगी: परंत ु ोह दक गगपनीोता िलो म ें सजम्मजलत प्रत्ो के पिकार, अन्ो पिकार कग जिन्ह ें उनके सिस्ट्ो द्वारा गगपनीोता सूचना की पुचं िी िा रही है, के जिर्ो में उपोुा क् त जनबंधन पर अलग िचनबंध िचनबंध ) कग भी प्रिान करेंग,े और पिकार के पास ऐसे िचनबंध िचनबंध ) के कगई उल् लंघन के मामले म,ें जिजधनुसार, समुजचत प्रजतकार का लाभ उठान े की स्ट्ि तंत्रता हगगी: परंत ु ोह और दक गगपनीोता िलो का भाग बनन े िाल े संबंजधत पिकार के प्रजतजनजध िचनबंध के उल्ल ंघन के जलए अजधजनोम के उपबंध के अनुसार, काोा िाही दकोे िाने के भागी ह गे। (8) सूचना िेन े िाला, गगपनीोता िलो का भाग नह बनेगा और उसके पास केिल अगगपनीो अजभलेख तक ही पुचं हगगी: परंतु ोह दक योगग उपोुक् त मामल में सूचना िेने िाल े कग गगपनीोता िलो में सजम्मजलत कर सकेगा, ोदि िह सूचना िेने िाले का िलो में समािेिन प्रभािी िांच के जलए यिश् ोक ोा समीचीन समझता ह।ै (9) ोदि योगग दकसी ऐसे यिेि ोा जिजनश् चो ोा राो, सूचना में ऐसा कगई भाग सजम्मजलत करता ह ै जिसे इस जिजनोम के अधीन गगपनीो िािा दकोा गोा है, तग योगग, ोर्ाजस्ट्र्जत, यिेि ोा जिजनश् चो ोा राो के िग पाठ बनाएगा। अगगपनीो पाठ, जिसमें ऐसी गगपनीो सूचना, िग पूणा पाठ में जिद्यमान ह,ै का लगप ह,ै पिकार पर तामील की िाएगी, और अगगपनीो अजभलेख में सजम्मजलत की िाएगी। पूण ा पाठ कग उपजिजनोम 4) में उपबंजधत दकोे गो े अनुसार गगपनीो अजभलेख म ें रखा िाएगा और उस े गगपनीोता िलो के सिस्ट् ो के सार् साझा दकोा िाएगा। (10) कगई व् ोजतिय ोा पिकार, जिसके अंतगा त अजधजनोम की धारा 17 की उपधारा 1) के अधीन योगग द्वारा जनोुक्त कगई अजधकारी ोा कमा चारी ोा अजधजनोम की धारा 16 की उपधारा 1) के अधीन केन् रीो सरकार द्वारा जनोुक्त कगई अजधकारी ोा अजधजनोम की धारा 17 की उपधारा 3) के अधीन योगग द्वारा जनोगजित कगई जििेर्् ोा िृजिक ोा अजधजनोम की धारा 36 की उपधारा 3) के अधीन योगग4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] की सहाोता के जलए बलु ाोा गोा कगई जििेर्् भी ह,ै ऐसा िस्ट् तािेि ऐस े िस त् ािेि ) ोा उसका भाग उनके भाग ) की, जिसका इस जिजनोम के अधीन गगपनीो का िािा दकोा गोा ह,ै अतं िा स्ट् तु की गगपनीोता बनाए रखेगा और इस अजधजनोम ोा तत्स मो प्रिृत् त दकसी अन् ो जिजध के प्रोगिन स े जभन् न दकसी प्रोगिन के जलए ऐसी गगपनीो सूचना का उपोगग ोा प्रकटन ोा उसके संबंध में व् ोिहार नह करेगा: परंतु ोह दक योगग/महाजनििे क काोाा लो का कगई अजधकारी ोा कमा चारी द्वारा गगपनीोता के उल् लघं न कग, ोर्ाजस्ट्र्जत, सुसंगत जनोम ोा जिजनोम के अधीन अनुिासनात् मक काोा िाही प्रारंभ के जलए यधार माना िाएगा। परंत ु ोह और दक ोदि अजधजनोम की धारा 17 की उपधारा 3) के अधीन योगग द्वारा जनोगजित दकसी जििेर्् ोा िृजिक ोा अजधजनोम की धारा 36 की उपधारा 3) के अधीन योगग की सहाोता के जलए बुलाए गए दकसी जििेर्् द्वारा गगपनीोता का उल्ल ंघन दकोा िाता ह ै दक िह, ोर्ाजस्ट्र्जत, ऐस े जनोगिन ोा संजििा कग समाप् त करन े के जलए पोाा प् त यधार हगगा। योगजत जिंिगर, सजचि (प्रभारी) [जि्ापन-III/4/असा./14/2022-23] रटप्प ण: मूल जिजनोम कग भारत का रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग III, खण्ड 4 म ें अजधसूचना सं. यर- 40007/6/यरईिी- साधारण/ अजध/04/सीसीयई 4 तारीख 21 मई, 2009 द्वारा प्रकाजित दकोा गोा र्ा और तत्प श्च ात इन्ह ें संिगजधत करके भारत का रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग III, खण्ड 4 में तारीख 20 अगस्ट्त , 2009 की अजधसूचना सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधारण संिग.)/2009-10/सीसीयई, तारीख 20 अक् तूबर, 2010 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन- साधा. संिग.)/ 2009-10/सीसीयई, तारीख 31 माच,ा 2011 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. संिग.)/ 2009- 10/सीसीयई, तारीख 8 निंबर, 2011 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. संिग.)/ 2011/सीसीयई, तारीख 7 अक् तूबर, 2013 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. संिग.)/ 2013/सीसीयई, तारीख 6 दिसंबर, 2018 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. संिग.)/ 2018/सीसीयई, तारीख 20 निंबर, 2019 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. संिग.)/ 2019/सीसीयई, तारीख 6 फरिरी, 2020 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. संिग.)/ 2020/सीसीयई और तारीख 6 जसतंबर, 2021 की सं. एल-3 (2)/जिजन-साधा. सिं ग.)/ 2021/सीसीयई द्वारा प्रकाजित दकोा गोा र्ा। THE COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 8th April, 2022 The Competition Commission of India (General) Amendment Regulations, 2022 (No. 2 of 2022) No. L-3(2)/ Regl- Gen. (Amdt.)/ 2022/ CCI.—In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 36, 57 and 64 of the Competition Act, 2002 (12 of 2003), the Competition Commission of India hereby makes the following regulations further to amend the Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2009, namely: — 1. Short title and commencement. — (1) These regulations may be called the Competition Commission of India (General) Amendment Regulations, 2022. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2009, Regulation 35 shall be substituted by the following:- (1) The Commission shall maintain confidentiality of the identity of an Informant on a request made to it in writing: Provided that where it is necessary or expedient to disclose the identity of the Informant for the purposes[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5 of the Act, the Commission may do so after providing a reasonable opportunity to the Informant, to represent its case before the Commission. (2) A party seeking confidentiality over the information or the documents furnished by it shall set out cogent reasons for such treatment and shall self-certify that making the document or documents or information or a part or parts thereof public will result in disclosure of trade secrets or destruction or appreciable diminution of the commercial value of any information or can be reasonably expected to cause serious injury. Further, the party shall confirm the following, along with the date on which such confidential treatment shall expire, on self-certification basis: (a) that the information is not available in the public domain; (b) that the information is known only to limited employees, suppliers, distributors and others involved in the party’s business; (c) that adequate measures have been taken by the party to guard the secrecy of the information; (d) that the information cannot be acquired or duplicated by others. The party claiming confidentiality shall provide an undertaking certifying the claims in terms of the requirements as above and such undertaking shall be filed by either the party itself or any of its employee, who has been authorised by the Board or any other equivalent body to issue such authorisation on behalf of the party concerned: Provided that the parties furnishing false undertaking shall be liable to be proceeded against, as per the provisions of the Act. (3) The party claiming confidentiality shall file a complete version of such document(s) with the words ‘restriction of publication claimed’ in red ink on top of the first page and the word ‘confidential’ clearly and legibly marked in red ink near the top on each page together with a non-confidential version thereof, which shall redact/ not contain such information(s) or document(s) or part(s) thereof upon which confidentiality has been claimed. (4) The non-confidential version of such document(s) shall be an exact copy of the confidential version with the omissions of the confidential information being indicated in a conspicuous manner, as stipulated in sub-regulation (3). (5) The document(s) or part(s) thereof that have been claimed to be confidential under this regulation shall be segregated from the non-confidential record and kept securely, bearing the title, the docket number of the proceeding, the notation ‘confidential’ and the date on which confidential treatment expires: Provided that the following shall be marked ‘confidential (search and seizure/ e-mail dumps/ call detail records etc.)’, as the case may be, and shall be kept separately: (a) documents/ material obtained through search and seizure operations; (b) e-mail dumps; (c) call detail records; or (d) any other document/ material in the nature of personal information. (6) The Commission may, if considered necessary or expedient, set up Confidentiality Ring(s) comprising of such authorised representatives of the parties, including, but not limited to, the authorised representatives specified under Section 35 of the Act, who would be able to access the information as mentioned in sub- regulation (5), as required, in unredacted form in terms of Regulation 37 of these regulations: Provided that the Commission, while setting up a Confidentiality Ring, may decide the extent of information to be made accessible, as well as the parties and their members to be included, in the Confidentiality Ring, as deemed appropriate, for the purpose: Provided further that the documents/ material mentioned in proviso to sub-regulation (5) which have been relied upon in the confidential version of the report of the Director General, shall be made accessible to the members of the Confidentiality Ring. (7) Access to unredacted information in terms of sub-regulation (6) shall be provided on filing of undertakings by the parties to be included in the Confidentiality Ring stating that the information accessed by their members pursuant to such ring, shall not be shared and/ or disclosed by them, to any other person including to any official and/ or other employee of enterprise concerned or to any official and/ or employee of any joint-venture, subsidiary, group entity of the concerned enterprise, or to any other person, whatsoever, and that they shall use such information and documents only for the purposes of the proceedings under the Act, and shall keep such information and documents within their sole custody, and6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4] shall destroy the same at the culmination of the present proceedings: Provided that separate undertaking(s) on aforesaid terms shall also be provided by each party included in the Confidentiality Ring, to the other parties in the matter, whose confidential information is being accessed by its members, and the parties shall have the liberty to avail suitable remedies as per law, in case of any breach of such undertaking(s): Provided further that the representatives of the parties concerned forming part of Confidentiality Ring shall be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of the Act for breach of undertakings. (8) The Informant shall not be part of Confidentiality Ring and shall have access to non-confidential records only: Provided that the Commission may include the Informant in the Confidentiality Ring in appropriate cases, if the inclusion of the Informant in the ring is considered necessary or expedient for effective inquiry. (9) If the Commission includes in any order or decision or opinion, information that has been claimed confidential under this regulation, the Commission shall make two versions of the order or decision or opinion, as the case may be. The non-confidential version which omits the confidential information that appears in the complete version, shall be served upon the parties, and shall be included in the non- confidential records. The complete version shall be placed in the confidential records as provided in sub- regulation (4) and the same shall be shared with the members of the Confidentiality Ring. (10) Any person or party, including any officer or employee appointed by the Commission under sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the Act or any officer appointed by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 16 of the Act or any expert or professional engaged by the Commission under sub-section (3) of Section 17 of the Act or any expert called upon to assist the Commission under sub-section (3) of Section 36 of the Act privy to the contents of the document(s) or part(s) thereof that have been claimed confidential under this regulation, shall maintain confidentiality of the same and shall not use or disclose or deal with such confidential information for any purpose other than the purposes of the Act or any other law for the time being in force: Provided that breach of confidentiality by any officer or employee of the Commission/ Office of the DG shall constitute a ground for initiation of disciplinary proceedings under the relevant rules or regulations, as the case may be: Provided further that breach of confidentiality by any expert or professional engaged by the Commission under sub-section (3) of Section 17 of the Act or any expert called upon to assist the Commission under sub-section (3) of Section 36 of the Act shall be sufficient ground for termination of the engagement or contract, as the case may be. JYOTI JINDGAR, Secy. (I/C) [ADVT.-III/4/Exty./14/2022-23] Note:--- The principal regulations were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 vide Notification number R-40007/6/ Reg- General/ Noti/ 04- CCI, dated the 21st day of May, 2009 and subsequently amended and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 vide notifications number L- 3(2)/ Regln.-Gen. (Amdt.) 2009-10/CCI dated the 20th August, 2009; number L-3(2) Regln.- Gen. (Amdt.)/2009-10/CCI dated the 20th October, 2010; number L-3(2) Regln.-Gen. (Amdt.)/2009-10/CCI dated the 31st March, 2011; No. L-3 (2)/Regln.-Gen. (Amdt.)/2011/CCI dated the 8th November, 2011; number L-3 (2)/RegIn.- Gen.Amdt./2013/CCI dated the 7th October, 2013; number L-3 (2)/RegIn.- Gen.(Amdt.)/2018/CCI dated the 6th December, 2018; number L-3 (2)/Regln.- Gen.(Amdt.)/2019/CCI dated the 20th November, 2019; number L-3 (2)/Regln.- Gen.(Amdt.)/2020/CCI dated the 6th February, 2020 and number L-3 (2)/Regln.- Gen.(Amdt.)/2021/CCI dated the 6th September, 2021. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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