Trade watchdog rejects complaints against Ambience
Allegations of anti-competitive practices against realty firm Ambience and the Haryana government on the development of a residential project in the city have been rejected by fair trade watchdog.
The Competition Commission of India disposed of all three complaints against Ambience and the government filed by Moran Plantation, Mili Marketing and Parasramka Holdings, in an order dated March 4, saying there were there was no violation of competition norms.
The development of housing project Caitriona had terms and conditions that were “prejudicial to the interest of the customers” and gave the realty firm undue advantage, as the complainants had suspected the ‘Apartment Buyer Agreement’ by Ambience Private Ltd. They also said that Ambience was “hand in glove” with the state government, which issued an occupation certificate to the company “in haste” and that the firm had breached norms on building EWS (economically weaker sections) flats. They requested CCI to order an inquiry and express the state government to withdraw the occupation certificate, saying it was issued before construction of EWS flats was completed.
Ambience does not appear to be in a leading position because of the presence of many big real estate developers in Gurgaon, as noted by CCI.
“Since opposite party No. 1 (Ambience) does not appear to be in a dominant position in the relevant market, the question of abuse of dominant position as alleged by the informants does not arise,” the CCI order added.
The commission is of the opinion that no case of contravention of the provisions of the Act is made out against the opposite parties (Ambience and state of Haryana), looked from whichever angle.
Source: The Times of India
Ambience, Anti-competitive practices, Apartment Buyer Agreement, Competition Commission of India, Development of housing project Caitriona, EWS, Gurgaon, Haryana government, Mili Marketing, Moran Plantation, Parasramka Holdings, Residential Project, State government
