1. The present matter relates to the allegations of anti-competitive acts and conduct in the tender for procurement of Aluminium Phosphide Tablets (ALP) required for preservation of central pool food grains by Food Corporation of India. The Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Food Corporation of India (FCI) vide letter dated 04.02.2011 while drawing attention towards rise in cost of procurement due to anti-competitive agreement among the manufacturers of ALP in the tenders of FCI, had requested the Commission to make inquiries, in the matter as per the provisions of the Act.

2. The facts and allegations in the letter, in brief, are as under:-

2.1 It has been stated that there are four known manufacturers of the ALP in India, namely, M/s United Phosphorous Limited (UPL), M/s Sandhya Organic Chemicals Private Limited (SOCL), M/s Excel Crop Care Limited (ECCL) and M/s Agrosynth Chemicals Limited (ACL)(hereinafter collectively referred as "Opposite Parties") who are making supplies to FCI. On the basis of a statement showing the details of tenders floated by FCI for the procurement of ALP during the last 8 years, it was informed that the Opposite Parties had quoted identical rates in