Glassmakers of flat glass, including Asahi India Glass, Saint-Gobian India and Gujarat Guardian, and their association AIFGMA have come are being investigated by anti-monopoly organization MRTPC for s…
Glassmakers of flat glass, including Asahi India Glass, Saint-Gobian India and Gujarat Guardian, and their association AIFGMA have come are being investigated by anti-monopoly organization MRTPC for suspected cartelization and price rigging. The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission is looking into the trading pattern of the industry as well as the role of the All India Flat Glass Manufacturing Association (AIFGMA) and some leading members. The Commission is said to suspect that some of the key players, including AIS, Saint-Gobian India and Gujarat Guardian (formerly Modiguard), which rules over a considerable share in the flat glass market, were influencing the price. Reports suggested that the glassmakers have been operating as a cartel since mid-nineties, and have been hiking prices and controlling supplies in the domestic market. The sources also said that MRTPC has also decided to see whether the big three manufacturers were indulging in similar practices for which they were fined by the European Competition Commission in November 2007. Once investigation starts, probe notices will be sent to the companies and if found guilty of price rigging, the case would be referred to the Commission to begin judicial proceedings against them, the sources added. Allahabad-based Triveni Glass is another key player in the Indian flat glass industry, which is also likely to come under MRTPC scanner, the sources added.