Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of over 11.8 crore rupees on ten coal and sand transportation company and directed them to desist from indulging in anti-competitive conduct.<br/><br/>CCI has also imposed penalty on the eight officials of the companies. The order followed investigation of complain filed by Western Coal field limited. It was alleged that the companies had given identical price quotes in four tenders floated for coal and sand transportation.<br/><br/>It was also alleged that their conduct of quoting identical bids at higher rates is a blatant act of bid rigging.<br/><br/>After hearing the parties, the Commission concluded that the parties were in agreement to fix prices resulting in bid rigging in the tenders floated by Western Coalfields Limited.<br/><br/>In its order, the commission said, that such conduct in public procurement defeats the tendering process and adversely impacts on the process of competition.