The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has directed 17 firms to immediately stop anti-competitive activities linked to electrification tenders issued for police stations across Assam. The order relates to works carried out under a government scheme aimed at improving infrastructure in police stations.
According to the regulator, the firms were involved in bid-rigging in tenders floated for internal and external electrification work in police buildings. The tenders were issued as part of the Mission of Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image Scheme of the Assam government.
The case began after a complaint was filed in August 2020 by the Office of the Accountant General (Audit), which raised concerns about possible collusion in the bidding process. The tenders were handled by the Assam Police Housing Corporation Ltd.
Following an investigation, the CCI found that all 17 firms had coordinated among themselves to influence the outcome of the tenders. This included fixing bids and reducing fair competition. One of the firms named in the order is MS Purbanchal Enterprize, along with several others.
The findings were based on multiple pieces of evidence. These included identical errors in documents submitted by different firms, use of the same IP addresses, call records showing contact between bidders, and demand drafts with consecutive serial numbers. All these pointed towards a planned effort to manipulate the tender process.
In its order, the CCI asked all firms and their proprietors to cease such practices with immediate effect. It said the actions violated provisions of the Competition Act. The entities have also been held liable under relevant sections of the law, including Section 48, which deals with responsibility of individuals in charge of companies.