The Working of the Anti-Monopoly Law in India: an Exploratory Study and some Comparative Insights

Abstract

Comprehensive antimonopoly legislation is still a rarity in the Third World countries. India is one of the few Third World Countries which has a fairly elaborate law relating to monopolies and restrictive trade practices. This paper examines the working of this law by analyzing 29 cases decided in the first four years the law was in operation. Conclusions are drawn about the scope and manner of application of India’s anti-monopoly law and its impact on competitive practices. Broad comparisons are made with the antitrust laws of developed and developing countries. The problem of what is an appropriate industrial and competitive policy for Third World countries is placed in a perspective.