Government Sets Up Panel To Review Antitrust Laws In Country The panel will also examine the need for an ex-ante regulatory mechanism for digital markets through a separate legislation

By Teena Jose

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Pexels

The Central government has set up a panel on digital competition law to review the existing antitrust laws in the country that are capable of dealing with the challenges that have emerged from the digital economy, and to submit to the government a draft Digital Competition Act within three months, according to a PTI report.

According to an official order, the panel will be headed by corporate affairs secretary Manoj Govil, along with the Competition Commission of India chairperson. The joint secretary for competition at the MCA will join the committee as a member secretary. The remaining seven members of the committee are from the private sector and various law firms such as Saurabh Srivastava (co-founder industry body Nascomm), Pallavi Shardul Shroff (Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas), Haigreve Khaitan (Khaitan & Co), Anand Pathak (P&A Law Offices),Rahul Rai (Axiom5 Law Chamber), Aditya Bhattacharjea (former professor at the Delhi School of Economics) and Harsha Vardhana Singh (IKDHVAJ Advisers).

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Niti Aayog, Department of Commerce, Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will also have to nominate representatives to the committee, the report added.

The order further stated that the panel will also examine the need for an ex-ante regulatory mechanism for digital markets through a separate legislation. This has been set up less than two months after a Parliamentary panel proposed having a new digital competition law to curb anti-competitive practices in the digital markets such as the antitrust allegations over big tech companies like Google which has been fined by Competition Commission in India last year for its monopolistic approach over digital market.

"The panel will study the international best practices on regulation in the field of the digital markets as well as other regulatory regimes/ institutional mechanisms/ government policies regarding competition in the digital markets. The practices of leading players or Systemically Important Digital Intermediaries (SIDIs) which limit or have the potential to cause harm in the digital markets will also be looked into by the committee," the order added.

Teena Jose

News Desk Reporter with Entrepreneur India

Teena is a post graduate in financial journalism. She has an avid interest in content creation, digital media and fashion.
Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Over 1,300 Google Employees Have Signed a New Petition Asking For Job Security

Google laid off thousands of employees in the past two years, which has left some employees feeling insecure about keeping their jobs.

News and Trends

Healthy Food Brand Salad Days Raises INR 30 Cr Series A Funding from V3 Ventures and CAAF

With the fresh funds, the Gurugram-based brand aims to drive omnichannel expansion, open new stores, enhance technology, acquire talent, boost marketing, explore sales channels, innovate menus, and maintain profitability.

News and Trends

Mankind Pharma, Gauri Khan, and Others Lead Innov8's INR 110 Cr Funding Round

The funding issue was oversubscribed by 2.7 times and facilitated by InCred, with the company being valued at INR 1,000 crore (around USD 120 million).

News and Trends

Chennai-Based Peaceful Progress Fund Eyes Innovation with INR 50 Cr First Close

The fund plans to invest in 25+ startups over three years, focusing on AI, IoT, FMCG, EVs, drones, and spacetech across tech and non-tech sectors.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says She Doesn't Look at Resumes: 'Always Hire Attitude Over Experience'

If you think you need a strong resume to work with real estate pioneer Barbara Corcoran, think again.