India: CCI rejects case against Haryana and DLF

Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India has dismissed allegations that Haryana government and realty firms DLF Ltd and HLF Enterprises indulged in unfair business practices with respect to residential projects in Gurgaon.

A complaint filed by a resident of Gurgaon’s Ambience Lagoon Apartments, a project developed by HLF Enterprises, had alleged that Haryana government failed to provide separate rules for condominiums as a result of which they are governed by norms for cooperative societies or commercial complexes.

It also alleged that DLF and HLF were “using political connections” to seek approvals from the state government “to legitimise their otherwise illegal actions”. In an order released recently, CCI said that “no prima facie case of contravention of any of the provisions of… the (Competition) Act is made out against the opposite parties in the instant matter”.

On allegation that realty firms were using political connections for illegal activities, CCI observed that the same did not fall within the purview of the competition norms. It also observed that no specific allegations were made against DLF in the matter which can be considered as anti-competitive and that HLF had also not contravened any unfair trade practices rules.

Full Content: The Economic Times

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