ROLE OF COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA IN PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE CONSUMERS

Competition Act is a breed of anti-trust laws which are globally prevalent to protect the consumers at macro level, instead of micro level and also to protect the small and medium businesses from the abuse of dominant position of large enterprises or entities. Every government works towards protecting and safeguarding their consumers. At micro level, one has easy remedy. In case of any issue one can go to the service center and get the issue rectified if it is pertaining to purchase of a product and further can approach the Tribunal under Consumer Protection Act 2019. This protection or safeguard is at micro level. At macro level, business enterprises go to an extent that in the beginning it is difficult to assess the loss or the damage, but by the time one realizes, the damage is already caused. This is where, the Competition Act, 2002 comes to the rescue of the consumers by protecting them at macro level from the monopoly of big business enterprises, thereby favouring competition. The main aim of Competition Policy is to promote consumer welfare, and this can be achieved by setting minimum specifications and standards for safety for both goods as well as services. Moreover, all this can be achieved by establishing mechanisms to redress the grievances of consumers. To administer, implement and enforce the Competition Act, 2002, the Competition Commission of India (CCI)was established. CCI performs advocacy and advisory functionsapart from being a regulator of market in India. Key to consumer welfare is fair competition, which can be achieved through the purposes of the Competition Act, 2020 for protecting and promoting fair competition in the markets in India. The main aim of the research is focused upon the role of CCI and how it deals with the enterprises abusing their dominant position, thereby protecting the interests of the consumers.