CCI Imposes Monetary and Non-Monetary Sanctions for Anti-Competitive Conduct
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) passed an order on August 21, 2026, under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002, imposing both monetary and non-monetary sanctions on Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA), Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA), and four individuals for engaging in anti-competitive cartelization practices. The Commission determined that the parties had contravened provisions of Section 3(3)(b) read with Section 3(1) of the Act.
Monetary Penalties Imposed
The CCI imposed specific monetary penalties after considering the nature and gravity of the contravention along with assessment of mitigating and aggravating factors. Agro Input Dealers Association was penalized ₹81,889, while Agro Input Welfare Association received a penalty of ₹392,269. Individual penalties were levied as follows: Mr. Manmohan C. Kalantri - ₹498,903, Mr. Arvindbhai Jerambhai Patel - ₹74,717, Mr. Pravinbhai Patel (General Secretary of AIDA) - ₹9,177, and Mr. Sanjay Kumar Raghuwanshi (National Spokesperson, AIDA) - ₹8,622, bringing the total monetary penalties to approximately ₹1,067,577.
Non-Monetary Directives
In addition to financial penalties, the Commission issued cease and desist orders directing the associations and their officials to refrain from future conduct that contravenes the Competition Act. Furthermore, under Section 27(g) of the Act, the CCI mandated that the associations organize competition compliance training programs to spread awareness about competition laws and promote a culture of competition compliance within their organizations.
The order was passed in Case No. 06 of 2023, and a public version is available on the CCI website at www.cci.gov.in.