Majority of last year throughout the world was spent coping,
dealing and reacting to situations created by COVID-19 pandemic.
The much-coveted GDP growth rate of the Indian economy showed a
southward movement; that is, from 4.04% in 2019 to -7.96% in
2020-2021. One would like to associate the Competition Commission
of India's (CCI) lack of imposition of monetary penalties in
several cases during this time period as being linked to the grim
economic conditions. CCI charged with imposing excessive penalties;
chose to pass 'cease and desist orders instead, in several
cartel cases.
Several news agencies (digital as well as print) reported
Covid-19 pandemic causing hurdles in, inter alia, the supply chain
in respect of certain product groups such as pharmaceuticals,
medical devices and/or essential goods/services, which necessitated
a certain degree of coordination (as to allocation of geographic
areas, distribution channels etc.) between players existing in
these markets.
