NEW DELHI: The fair trade watchdog has rejected allegations of anti-competitive practices against realty firm Ambience and the Haryana government on the development of a residential project in the city.

In an order dated March 4, the Competition Commission of India disposed of all three complaints against Ambience and the government filed by Moran Plantation, Mili Marketing and Parasramka Holdings, saying there were there was no violation of competition norms.

The complainants had alleged the ‘Apartment Buyer Agreement’ by Ambience Private Ltd on the development of housing project Caitriona had terms and conditions that were “prejudicial to the interest of the customers” and gave the realty firm undue advantage. They also alleged that Ambience was “hand in glove” with the state government, which issued an occupation certificate to the company “in haste” and that the firm had violated norms on building EWS (economically weaker sections) flats. They urged the CCI to order an inquiry and direct the state government to cancel the occupation certificate, alleging it was issued before construction of EWS flats was completed.

The CCI noted that Ambience “does not appear to be in a dominant position because of the presence of many big real estate developers in Gurgaon”.

“Since opposite party No. 1 (Ambience) does not appear to be in a dominant position in the relevant market, the question of abuse of dominant position as alleged by the informants does not arise,” the CCI order added.

“Looked at from any angle, the commission is of (the) opinion that no case of contravention of the provisions of…the (Competition) Act is made out against the opposite parties (Ambience and state of Haryana)”.

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