MAM
CCI to crack the whip harder on anti-competitive cartels
MUMBAI: The investigation into alleged ad pricing collusion between select ad agencies is just one of the proactive initiatives that the competition watch dog the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has been undertaking. Finance and corporate affairs minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha today that 35 cartel cases across various sectors over the past five financial years, up to 13 March 2025, have been under the CCI’s magnifying glass. And this is just a start: with a sharper legal framework and global collaborations, the watchdog is stepping up its efforts to keep markets fair.
She informed the house that the watchdog has inked bilateral and multilateral agreements with competition authorities in Egypt, Mauritius, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Australia, the European Commission, Brics nations and the US Department of Justice. These pacts enable enforcement cooperation, subject to each country’s legal framework and resources.
The Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023, introduced the ‘lesser penalty plus’ (LPP) framework under Section 46, offering incentives for cartel members to turn whistleblowers. The CCI (Lesser Penalty) Regulations, 2024, which replaced the 2009 rules, reward existing applicants who spill the beans on previously unknown cartels.
To widen its net, CCI has also brought in the ‘hub-and-spoke’ mechanism under Section 3(3) of the Competition Act, 2002, ensuring that enterprises or individuals indirectly facilitating cartels are also held accountable.
India has signed 14 free trade agreements (FTAs), some of which contain specific competition clauses to curb anti-competitive practices. CCI also has a dedicated division for market analysis and research, aimed at detecting unfair practices before they spiral.
Enforcement is only part of the game. Over the last five years, CCI has held 1,446 advocacy programmes to educate businesses and policymakers on competition rules. By ramping up market studies and training initiatives, the regulator is working to sustain a fair and thriving business environment.
With cartels under increased scrutiny and tougher penalties in place, competition in India’s markets is only set to heat up.
MAM
Wagh Bakri Tea Group appoints Tushar Tripathi as new CEO
Long-serving COO steps up to lead the tea major’s next phase of growth.
MUMBAI: Wagh Bakri Tea Group has found the perfect blend for its future leadership promoting from within. The company has announced the appointment of Tushar Tripathi as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Tripathi, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer, brings over 17 years of deep experience within the organisation and will now steer its overall business strategy, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation.
In his earlier role, Tripathi led Plant, Operations, and Projects, playing a key part in enhancing operational excellence. His notable contributions include introducing the first Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS) in India’s tea industry, implementing global quality and food safety standards, establishing a NABL-accredited quality lab, and expanding the company’s manufacturing and distribution networks.
Speaking on his appointment, Tushar Tripathi said, “I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility at Wagh Bakri. It has been a privilege to contribute to the Group’s journey, and I look forward to working with our teams to strengthen innovation, enhance efficiency, and create sustainable value for all stakeholders.”
Wagh Bakri Tea Group executive director Paras Desai added, “Mr Tushar Tripathi has been an integral part of our leadership team for many years. His deep operational insight, commitment, and balanced leadership approach make him the ideal choice to guide Wagh Bakri into its next phase of growth.”
Tripathi holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering and has completed management development programmes in project management and logistics from leading Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
With this internal elevation, Wagh Bakri Tea Group is signalling continuity and confidence in its home-grown talent as it looks to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth in the competitive tea industry.
In the world of tea, where the right infusion makes all the difference, Wagh Bakri has chosen a leader who already knows every leaf and layer of the organisation. The future, it seems, is brewing smoothly under Tripathi’s watch.
