CCI penalises Agro Input Dealers Association and Agro Input Welfare Association for cartelisation; orders competition compliance training
By an order dated 21 August 2026 under section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002 (Case No. 06 of 2023), CCI has imposed monetary penalties on Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA), Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA) and four individuals, directed them to cease and desist, and ordered a competition compliance training programme.
Key facts
- In force
- CCI order dated 21 August 2026
- Who it affects
- Dealer, distributor and trade associations and their office-bearers; agro input dealers and manufacturers; compliance officers
- Section
- Company Law
- Published
- 21 August 2026
In 30 seconds
- The order is dated 21 August 2026 and was passed in Case No. 06 of 2023.
- CCI determined that AIDA, AIWA, Mr. Kalantri and Mr. Patel acted in contravention of section 3(3)(b) read with section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
- Penalties: ₹81,889 on AIDA, ₹3,92,269 on AIWA, ₹4,98,903 on Mr. Manmohan C. Kalantri and ₹74,717 on Mr. Arvindbhai Jerambhai Patel.
- Two AIDA officials found liable under section 48 were also penalised: ₹9,177 on Mr. Pravinbhai Patel and ₹8,622 on Mr. Sanjay Kumar Raghuwanshi.
- Under section 27(a), the opposite parties and these officials are to cease and desist in future from the conduct found to be in contravention.
- Under section 27(g), the opposite parties are to organise a competition compliance training programme within their associations.
हिंदी में सार
CCI ने 21 अगस्त 2026 के आदेश (Case No. 06 of 2023) से Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA), Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA) और चार व्यक्तियों पर cartelisation के लिए जुर्माना लगाया है — AIDA पर ₹81,889 और AIWA पर ₹3,92,269। आयोग ने उन्हें ऐसा आचरण बंद करने और अपने संगठनों में competition compliance प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम आयोजित करने का भी निर्देश दिया है। आदेश का सार्वजनिक संस्करण CCI की वेबसाइट पर उपलब्ध है।
The order
According to a release of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) dated 21 August 2026, the Commission passed an order on 21 August 2026 under section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002, imposing monetary and non-monetary sanctions on Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA), Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA), Mr. Manmohan C. Kalantri and Mr. Arvindbhai Jerambhai Patel “for indulging in anti-competitive conduct of cartelisation”.
The Commission determined that AIDA, AIWA, Mr. Kalantri and Mr. Patel acted in contravention of section 3(3)(b) read with section 3(1) of the Act. The order was passed in Case No. 06 of 2023.
Monetary penalties
The release says the penalties were fixed after considering the nature and gravity of the contravention and assessing mitigating and aggravating factors.
| On whom | Described in the release as | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA) | Opposite party | ₹81,889 |
| Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA) | Opposite party | ₹3,92,269 |
| Mr. Manmohan C. Kalantri | Opposite party | ₹4,98,903 |
| Mr. Arvindbhai Jerambhai Patel | Opposite party | ₹74,717 |
| Mr. Pravinbhai Patel | General Secretary of AIDA; found liable under section 48 | ₹9,177 |
| Mr. Sanjay Kumar Raghuwanshi | National Spokesperson, AIDA; found liable under section 48 | ₹8,622 |
Non-monetary directions
- Cease and desist (section 27(a)): the opposite parties and their officials found liable under section 48 are directed to cease and desist in future from indulging in the conduct found to be in contravention of the Act.
- Compliance training (section 27(g)): the opposite parties are directed to organise a competition compliance training programme, to spread awareness about competition laws and to promote a culture of competition compliance within their associations.
What the release does not say
The release does not describe the facts of the conduct — what was agreed, in which products or in which area — beyond calling it cartelisation in contravention of section 3(3)(b). It says a copy of the public version of the order is available on the CCI website, www.cci.gov.in.
What dealer and trade associations should take from it
As reported in the release, CCI penalised not only the associations but also individuals, including office-bearers held liable under section 48, and added a direction to run a competition compliance training programme. Associations of dealers and distributors, and those who hold office in them, should read the public version of the order for the conduct that was found to contravene the Act.
Questions and answers
What did CCI order against AIDA and AIWA?
By an order dated 21 August 2026 in Case No. 06 of 2023, CCI imposed monetary penalties on Agro Input Dealers Association, Agro Input Welfare Association and four individuals, directed them to cease and desist from the conduct found to be in contravention of the Act, and directed the opposite parties to organise a competition compliance training programme.
Which provision was contravened?
Section 3(3)(b) read with section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, according to the release.
How much are the penalties?
₹81,889 on AIDA, ₹3,92,269 on AIWA, ₹4,98,903 on Mr. Kalantri, ₹74,717 on Mr. Arvindbhai Jerambhai Patel, ₹9,177 on Mr. Pravinbhai Patel and ₹8,622 on Mr. Raghuwanshi.
Where is the order available?
The release says a copy of the public version of the order is available on the CCI website, www.cci.gov.in.
Published 21 August 2026. Updated 6 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.