The war between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and rival Indian Cricket League (ICL) has taken a new twist with anti-monopoly watchdog Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) initiating an investigation against the cricket board for threatening players with a life-term ban on joining the Subhash Chandra-promoted league.
On the basis of the reports published in newspapers, MRTPC has directed its investigative arm, the Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR), to look into threats by the BCCI to players who join ICL.
DGIR may inquire into the BCCI’s action like :
- Expulsion of some former cricket players by the BCCI on joining ICL.
- BCCI Statement – ICL players will not be considered for Indian Cricket Team
- BCCI’s denial to share infrastructure with ICL as all the stadiums and machinery are national assets
- Denial of Pension and other retirement benefits to retired cricket players who have joined ICL
According to sources, the Commission suspects BCCI is adopting restrictive trade practices, which are banned under the MRTP Act.
MRTPC has directed DGIR to submit its preliminary investigation report within 60 days.
It may be recalled that in 1994 DGIR had pulled up BCCI for adopting restrictive trade practices and imposed a fine. In an ex-parte order, the Commission’s single member bench of Sardar Ali had then held BCCI guilty of adopting restrictive trade practices.
If the current investigation reveals that the cricket body is adopting restrictive trade practices contrary to the interest of players, then MRTPC may pass a cease and desist order against BCCI.
What is MRTPC?
Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) is a quasi-judical body which comes under the Department of Company Affairs.The MRTP Commission established under Section 5 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969, discharge functions as per the provisions of the Act. The main function of the MRTP Commission is to enquire into and take appropriate action in respect of unfair trade practices and restrictive trade practices. In regard to monopolistic trade practices the Commission is empowered under section 10(b) to inquire into such practices (i) upon a reference made to it by the Central Government or (ii) upon its own knowledge or information and submit its findings to Central Government for further action.
[Source : TimesofIndia]
