Ashok Kumar Gupta: Difference between revisions
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| office = Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]] |
| office = Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]] |
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| predecessor = Devender Kumar Sikri |
| predecessor = Devender Kumar Sikri |
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| termstart = |
| termstart = 12 November 2018 |
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| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]] |
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]] |
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| education = [[Delhi University]] (B.S.) <br/>[[Syracuse University]] (M.P.A.)<br/>[[University of Madras]] (M.Phil) |
| education = [[Delhi University]] (B.S.) <br/>[[Syracuse University]] (M.P.A.)<br/>[[University of Madras]] (M.Phil) |
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=== '''Secretary, Defence Production''' === |
=== '''Secretary, Defence Production''' === |
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Gupta was appointed as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Defence Production on 15 |
Gupta was appointed as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Defence Production on 15 May 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|date=|title=Ashok Kumar Gupta Takes Over as The New Secretary (Defence Production)|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/ashok-kumar-gupta-takes-over-as-the-new-secretary-defence-production-115052501195_1.html}}</ref> As Secretary, Defence Production, he was responsible for liberalising the licencing regime and Foreign Direct Investment policy. Under his leadership, a number of measures were taken to harness the potential in the public and private sector to meet the defence requirement of India and boost indigenous capabilities in the defence sector and facilitate progressive reduction in imports. These measures included according of priority and preference to procurement from Indian vendors, liberalization of the licensing regime and enabling access to modern and state-of-the-art technology to Indian industry by raising the cap on FDI in the defence sector. |
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=== '''Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements''' === |
=== '''Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements''' === |
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=== '''As Chairperson, Competition Commission of India''' === |
=== '''As Chairperson, Competition Commission of India''' === |
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On |
On 12 November 2018, Gupta was appointed Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]] (CCI).<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ashok Kumar Gupta appointed as the chairman of Competition Commission of India|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/ashok-kumar-gupta-appointed-as-the-chairman-of-competition-commission-of-india/articleshow/66560757.cms?from=mdr}}</ref> Under Gupta’s leadership, CCI stepped up its enforcement and advocacy actions in digital markets.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Unchecked dominance in digital markets a concern, says CCI chief|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/unchecked-dominance-in-digital-markets-a-concern-says-cci-chief/articleshow/84861400.cms?from=mdr}}</ref> Enforcement was complemented with stakeholder engagement through market studies and workshops. A market study on e-commerce conducted by CCI during Gupta’s tenure listed out self-regulatory measures for e-commerce marketplaces for improved transparency and competition on the merits.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Market Study on E-Commerce in India: Key Findings and Observations|url=https://www.cci.gov.in/sites/default/files/whats_newdocument/Market-study-on-e-Commerce-in-India.pdf|website=Competition Commission of India}}</ref> A telecom sector market study conducted in 2020 brought out data privacy as a factor of non-price competition.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Market Study on the Telecom Sector in India: Key Findings and Observations|url=https://www.cci.gov.in/sites/default/files/whats_newdocument/Market-Study-on-the-Telecom-Sector-In-India.pdf|website=Competition Commission of India}}</ref> |
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As CCI Chair, Gupta steered the fair-play regulator’s response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from shifting all regulatory procedures online for seamless functioning of antitrust enforcement and combination review regimes, an advisory was issued spelling out the framework that would inform CCI’s decisions in the pandemic circumstances. This was to facilitate decision-making by businesses to meet the emergent demands arising out of the crisis without unduly worrying about regulatory trysts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regulating competition in times of Covid-19|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/regulating-competition-in-times-of-covid-19/2105885/|website=The Financial Express|language=en}}</ref> |
As CCI Chair, Gupta steered the fair-play regulator’s response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from shifting all regulatory procedures online for seamless functioning of antitrust enforcement and combination review regimes, an advisory was issued spelling out the framework that would inform CCI’s decisions in the pandemic circumstances. This was to facilitate decision-making by businesses to meet the emergent demands arising out of the crisis without unduly worrying about regulatory trysts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regulating competition in times of Covid-19|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/regulating-competition-in-times-of-covid-19/2105885/|website=The Financial Express|language=en}}</ref> |
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To make M&A filings approval faster, CCI under the leadership of Gupta, introduced an automatic system of approval for combinations under ‘Green Channel’ on |
To make M&A filings approval faster, CCI under the leadership of Gupta, introduced an automatic system of approval for combinations under ‘Green Channel’ on 19 August 2019. Under this process, a combination is deemed to have been approved upon filing the notice in the prescribed format. The system is aimed to sustain and promote a speedy, transparent and accountable review of combination cases, strike a balance between facilitation and enforcement functions, create a culture of compliance and support economic growth.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Press Release No. 8/2019-20|url=https://www.cci.gov.in/sites/default/files/press_release/PR82019-20.pdf|website=Competition Commission of India}}</ref> In Gupta’s tenure, a new confidentiality regime was put in place for privileged information relating to companies and their business operations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Confidentiality regime to be introduced within a month: CCI Chairman|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/confidentiality-regime-to-be-introduced-within-a-month-cci-chairman-319644-2022-01-19|website=Business Today|language=en}}</ref> |
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=== '''Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)''' === |
=== '''Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)''' === |
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Revision as of 09:29, 11 February 2022
Ashok Kumar Gupta | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Competition Commission of India | |
| Assumed office 12 November 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Narendra Modi |
| Preceded by | Devender Kumar Sikri |
| Personal details | |
| Education | Delhi University (B.S.) Syracuse University (M.P.A.) University of Madras (M.Phil) |
| Profession | Regulator, civil servant |
Ashok Kumar Gupta (Hindi: अशोक कुमार गुप्ता) is a 1981 Batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. He has had an illustrious career of 40 years in public service spanning across sectors from industry, finance, and health to defence production. Prior to his appointment as the Chair of the Competition Commission of India in 2018, he held several key positions in the Central Government, such as Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Defence Production, where he was responsible for liberalising the licencing regime and FDI policy. Previously, he held several positions in the Ministries of Health, Heavy Industries, Shipping, MSME, Commerce & Industry. While posted as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health, he dealt with matters relating to International Cooperation, World Bank, and WHO projects.
He was instrumental in formulating several government policies such as Automobile Policy, Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana, ‘Make’ Procedure in defence procurement and establishing Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi. He has extensive experience in Industry, has headed and turned around State Public Sector Units and served on the Boards of Central and State PSUs such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Heavy Engineering Corporation, Tamil Nadu Cements and many others. Before moving to the Centre, he held various positions with the Tamil Nadu Government. Some of his appointments include, CMD, Tamil Nadu Cements, Special Secretary (Finance) and Distt. Magistrate, Villupuram. A gold medallist in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi University, he also holds a Post-Graduate degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University (USA) and an M.Phil. degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University.[1]
Education
Gupta received his degree in mechanical engineering from Delhi University (Gold medallist). He later attended Syracuse University (SU) in the United States, where he received his Masters of Public Administration (MPA) degree. While at SU, Gupta did his Master's project on Regulatory Framework for Health Care Organisations in India, which culminated in the Central Government enacting The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.
Gupta went on to receive his M.Phil. in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.
Career
As an IAS Officer
Gupta joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1981 and in his career as an IAS officer spanning over 36 years, he served in various key posts in both Union and Tamil Nadu Governments as well as in Central and State Public Sector Units. He served as Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Government of India, Additional/Special Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Government of India, Joint Secretary, Department of Defence, Government of India, Joint Secy. & Sr. Directing Staff, National Defence College, Joint Secretary, Department of Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Director, Department of Heavy Industry, Government of India, Director, Department of Small Scale Industries, Ministry of Industry, Government of India, Special Secretary, Finance, Government of Tamil Nadu, Additional Secretary/Special Secretary, Prohibition & Excise, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Steels, Deputy Chairman, Chennai Port Trust.[1]
Secretary, Defence Production
Gupta was appointed as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Defence Production on 15 May 2015.[2] As Secretary, Defence Production, he was responsible for liberalising the licencing regime and Foreign Direct Investment policy. Under his leadership, a number of measures were taken to harness the potential in the public and private sector to meet the defence requirement of India and boost indigenous capabilities in the defence sector and facilitate progressive reduction in imports. These measures included according of priority and preference to procurement from Indian vendors, liberalization of the licensing regime and enabling access to modern and state-of-the-art technology to Indian industry by raising the cap on FDI in the defence sector.
Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements
Gupta was CMD, Tamil Nadu Cements from June 2005 to April 2007. It is under his leadership that the PSU clocked net profit in 2006-07 after nine years of continuous losses.
Joint Secretary, Department of Health
As Joint Secretary, Department of Health, Gupta handled key matters relating to International Cooperation, World Bank and WHO projects. He was instrumental in setting up Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi.
As Chairperson, Competition Commission of India
On 12 November 2018, Gupta was appointed Chair of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).[3] Under Gupta’s leadership, CCI stepped up its enforcement and advocacy actions in digital markets.[4] Enforcement was complemented with stakeholder engagement through market studies and workshops. A market study on e-commerce conducted by CCI during Gupta’s tenure listed out self-regulatory measures for e-commerce marketplaces for improved transparency and competition on the merits.[5] A telecom sector market study conducted in 2020 brought out data privacy as a factor of non-price competition.[6]
As CCI Chair, Gupta steered the fair-play regulator’s response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from shifting all regulatory procedures online for seamless functioning of antitrust enforcement and combination review regimes, an advisory was issued spelling out the framework that would inform CCI’s decisions in the pandemic circumstances. This was to facilitate decision-making by businesses to meet the emergent demands arising out of the crisis without unduly worrying about regulatory trysts.[7]
To make M&A filings approval faster, CCI under the leadership of Gupta, introduced an automatic system of approval for combinations under ‘Green Channel’ on 19 August 2019. Under this process, a combination is deemed to have been approved upon filing the notice in the prescribed format. The system is aimed to sustain and promote a speedy, transparent and accountable review of combination cases, strike a balance between facilitation and enforcement functions, create a culture of compliance and support economic growth.[8] In Gupta’s tenure, a new confidentiality regime was put in place for privileged information relating to companies and their business operations.[9]
Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)
Gupta is holding additional charge of Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) with effect from 1 October 2021.[10]
References
- ^ a b "The Commission".
- ^ "Ashok Kumar Gupta Takes Over as The New Secretary (Defence Production)". Business Standard India.
- ^ "Ashok Kumar Gupta appointed as the chairman of Competition Commission of India". The Economic Times.
- ^ "Unchecked dominance in digital markets a concern, says CCI chief". The Economic Times.
- ^ "Market Study on E-Commerce in India: Key Findings and Observations" (PDF). Competition Commission of India.
- ^ "Market Study on the Telecom Sector in India: Key Findings and Observations" (PDF). Competition Commission of India.
- ^ "Regulating competition in times of Covid-19". The Financial Express.
- ^ "Press Release No. 8/2019-20" (PDF). Competition Commission of India.
- ^ "Confidentiality regime to be introduced within a month: CCI Chairman". Business Today.
- ^ "Office Order" (PDF). National Financial Reporting Authority. 31 December 2021.