CCI probes Haryana tyre tenders for bid rigging and collusion

It matters to citizens as it addresses potential collusion among major tyre manufacturers that may have inflated prices for public transport services.

Who it concerns: The document concerns the State of Haryana (Informant), major tyre manufacturers including J.K. Tyre & Industries Limited, CEAT Limited, Birla Tyre Limited, Michelin India, Continental India, Apollo Tyres, MRF Limited, and Bridgestone India, as well as their authorized representatives Rekha Agencies and SS Marketing.

What the Commission found or ordered

• The CCI issued an order under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002, following a reference filed by the State of Haryana under Section 19(1)(b).
• The Informant alleged that J.K. Tyre (OP-1) quoted prices 34-39% higher than previous approved rates, despite raw material costs rising only ~12.55%, and was the sole bidder in multiple tenders.
• The Director General (DG) investigation found evidence of bid rigging and direct communication between representatives of J.K. Tyre (Rekha Agencies) and CEAT (SS Marketing).
• The DG noted that J.K. Tyre participated in all tenders across states and won 8 out of 13 tenders in Haryana, while CEAT participated in almost every tender but won fewer, suggesting a potentially passive role facilitating J.K. Tyre's success.
• The CCI arrayed Rekha Agencies and SS Marketing as Opposite Parties (OP-9 and OP-10) based on the DG's findings of their responsibility for anti-competitive conduct alongside the manufacturers they represent.

Also in the document

• The investigation included search and seizure operations in March 2022 and the recording of statements from office bearers of the opposite parties.
• The DG submitted multiple investigation reports, including a second supplementary report in February 2025, which subsumed and built upon earlier findings.
• Birla Tyre (OP-3) ceased production of bus and truck radial tyres in 2016, removing it from active participation in subsequent tenders.
• Michelin India (OP-4) participated only once in a Haryana tender through its dealer, Gupta Tyres, which acted independently without direct authorization from Michelin.