In a bid to empower textile manufacturers with the knowledge of Competition Law and ensure fair trade practices, the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) organized an awareness program titled "Competition in Textile Market" on February 12, 2024. This initiative aimed to shed light on the pivotal role of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in maintaining a level playing field within the industrial sector.

Addressing around 50 participants predominantly from Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Namakkal, and other regions, V. Sriraj, Joint Director (Law) at the Southern Regional Office of CCI, Chennai, elucidated the Commission's mission to eradicate unfair trade practices. He emphasized the CCI's function as an expert body tasked with eliminating anti-competitive agreements, abusive dominance, bid rigging, and other malpractices detrimental to fair competition.

Sriraj underscored the Competition Act of 2002, which prohibits and penalizes unfair conduct by dominant players, safeguarding consumers' interests. He warned against the formation of cartels among manufacturers, particularly when such actions adversely impact consumers through pricing strategies. Additionally, he highlighted the CCI's vigilance over business combinations aimed at unfairly increasing profits.

S.K. Sundararaman, Chairman of SIMA, lauded the program's role in educating textile industrialists about the scope and significance of Competition Law. This advocacy endeavor aimed to foster a business ecosystem characterized by fair competition, ultimately benefitting both consumers and sellers. Through collaborative efforts like these, the CCI strives to promote transparency, accountability, and fair competition, thereby fostering a conducive environment for sustainable growth in the textile industry.