Digital monopolies a risk to free market: FM

DELAYS IN REGULATORY clearances could lead to uncertainty and disrupt commercial timelines, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned on Tuesday.

- MANU KAUSHIK

She, however, added that emergence of gatekeeper platforms and cross-border digital monopolies are posing challenges for the free and fair markets. Dealing with such monopolies requires global cooperation and agile regulations, she said.

Speaking at the 16th Annual Day of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) here, the minister also underlined the need to facilitate swift and seamless approvals for combinations that pose little harm to competition.