The MRTP Act was enacted in 1969 on the recommendation of the Dutt Committee to prevent the concentration of economic power in the hands of a few wealthy individuals. The act aimed to control monopolies and prohibit monopolistic and restrictive trade practices. However, this act is no longer in force, as it was replaced in 2009 by the Competition Act 2002, which established the Competition Commission of India to take over the role of the previous MRTP Commission. The MRTP Act defined monopolistic trade practices as misusing market power to eliminate competition and charge high prices. Unfair trade practices included false advertising and misleading claims. Restrictive trade practices blocked capital flows and supply to increase profits. Certain government entities and organizations were exempted from the act

1. Monopoly and Restrictive Trade Practices
(MRTP) Act Presented By:
Ambar Agarwal

2. Introduction
On the basis of recommendation of Dutt Committee,
MRTP Act was enacted in 1969 to ensure
that concentration of economic power in hands of
few rich. The act was there to prohibit monopolistic
and restrictive trade practices.
• To ensure that the operation of the economic
system does not result in the concentration of
economic power in hands of few,
• To provide for the control of monopolies, and
• To prohibit monopolistic and restrictive trade
practices.

3. Current Status of MRTP
• This act is not in force in India currently as it was
repealed and was replaced by Competition Act 2002
with effect from September 1, 2009. The MRTP
commission was replaced by Competition
Commission of India.

4. Definition of Monopolistic Trade Practice
• The act defines the Monopolistic Trade Practice as “Such practice
indicates misuse of one’s power to abuse the market in terms of
production and sales of goods and services.
• Firms involved in monopolistic trade practice tries to eliminate
competition from the market.
• Then they take advantage of their monopoly and charge unreasonably
high prices.
• They also deteriorate the product quality, limit technical development,
prevent competition and adopt unfair trade practices”

5. Definition of Unfair Trade Practice
• The act defines Unfair Trade Practice as
• False representation and misleading advertisement of
goods and services.
• Falsely representing second-hand goods as new.
• Misleading representation regarding usefulness, need,
quality, standard, style etc of goods and services.
• False claims or representation regarding price of goods
and services.
• Giving false facts regarding sponsorship, affiliation etc. of
goods and services.
• Giving false guarantee or warranty on goods and services
without adequate tests.

6. Definition of Restrictive Trade Practice
• The act defines Restrictive Trade Practice as “The
traders, in order to maximize their profits and to
gain power in the market, often indulge in
activities that tend to block the flow of capital
into production. Such traders also bring in
conditions of delivery to affect the flow of supplies
leading to unjustified costs.”

7. Exemption
• Government Company and undertaking owned
by Government.
• Company established by a Central or State Act.
• Trade Unions
• Companies which have been taken over by the
central Government.
• Companies owned by registered Cooperative
Societies.
• Any financial institution.