Jump to content

Ashok Kumar Gupta: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Contravenes WP:INDICSCRIPT
Tags: Reverted Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Revised the language and tone to be more neutral as highlighted by the editors.
Tags: Reverted Visual edit
Line 2: Line 2:
| name = Ashok Kumar Gupta
| name = Ashok Kumar Gupta
| office = Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]]
| office = Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]]
| predecessor = Sudhir Mital (acting)
| predecessor = Devender Kumar Sikri
| termstart = November 9, 2018
| termstart = 12 November 2018
⚫
| education = [[Delhi University]] (Mechanical Engineering) <br/>[[Syracuse University]] (M.P.A.)<br/>[[University of Madras]] (M.Phil)
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| profession = Civil Servant
⚫
| education = [[Delhi University]] (B.S.) <br/>[[Syracuse University]] (M.P.A.)<br/>[[University of Madras]] (M.Phil)
| profession = Regulator, civil servant
| birth_date = 26 October 1957
| spouse = Dr. Priti Gupta
| nationality = Indian
| image = Photo CP.jpg
}}
}}


Ashok Kumar Gupta (Hindi: अशोक कुमार गुप्ता) has served for over 40 years in public service, across sectors from industry and finance, to health and defence production. He has held key positions in the Central Government of India, such as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India, Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Defence Production, as well as several positions in the Ministries of Health, Heavy Industries, Shipping, MSME, and Commerce & Industry.
'''Ashok Kumar Gupta''' is an Indian regulator who serves as Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]] (CCI), India's national [[Competition regulator|competition regulatory agency]]. Kumar is an alumnus of the [[Indian Administrative Service]]'s (IAS) [[Tamil Nadu]] cadre.


His positions within the Tamil Nadu Government include CMD, Tamil Nadu Cements, Special Secretary (Finance), and Distt. Magistrate, Villupuram.
⚫
== Education and career ==
⚫
Gupta received his degree in [[mechanical engineering]] from [[Delhi University]]. Gupta later attended [[Syracuse University]] (SU) in the [[United States]], where he received his [[Master of Public Administration|Master's of Public Administration]] (MPA) degree. While at SU, Gupta published his dissertation ''A Study Of R&D/Marketing Interface And Innovation Success In High Technology Firms'' (1984), which concluded that [[research and development]] (R&D) and marketing integration is crucial to the success of an organization.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gupta|first=Ashok|date=1984-01-01|title=A Study Of R&D/Marketing Interface And Innovation Success In High Technology Firms|url=https://surface.syr.edu/busad_etd/65|journal=Business Administration - Dissertations}}</ref>


Gupta went on to receive his [[Master of Philosophy|M.Phil]] degree in [[Military science|Defence and Strategic Studies]] from the [[University of Madras]]. During his career, Gupta served at different times in the Ministries of [[Ministry of Health (India)|Health]], [[Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises|Heavy Industries]], [[Ministry of Shipping (India)|Shipping]], [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises|MSME]], and [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Commerce and Industry]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Commission|url=https://www.cci.gov.in/commission|url-status=live|website=[[Competition Commission of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511121913/http://www.cci.gov.in:80/commission |archive-date=2016-05-11 }}</ref>
At the Centre, Gupta has contributed to the formulation of government policies, including Automobile Policy, Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana, and ‘Make’ Procedure in defence procurement, as well as establishing Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi. He has served on the Boards of Central and State PSUs such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Heavy Engineering Corporation, and Tamil Nadu Cements.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Commission |url=https://www.cci.gov.in/commission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511121913/http://www.cci.gov.in:80/commission |archive-date=2016-05-11 |website=[[Competition Commission of India]]}}</ref>


⚫
== Education ==
⚫
== Competition Commission of India (CCI) ==
⚫
Gupta has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi University. Subsequently, he received a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Syracuse University (SU). Gupta’s Master’s project at SU, “Regulatory Framework for Health Care Organisations in India”, contributed to the Central Government’s decision of enacting the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gupta |first=Ashok |date=1984-01-01 |title=A Study Of R&D/Marketing Interface And Innovation Success In High Technology Firms |url=https://surface.syr.edu/busad_etd/65 |journal=Business Administration - Dissertations}}</ref>
On November 9, 2018, Gupta was appointed Chair of the [[Competition Commission of India]] (CCI) for a term expiring October 25, 2022, when Gupta will turn 65.<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|access-date=2021-09-24}}</ref> In a September 2020 interview with ''[[The Indian Express]]'', Gupta argued that [[market concentration]] itself is not an issue, and that the dominance of a single firm in an industry should only be regulated if it is "abused".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=Ashok Kumar Gupta: 'Concentration of power by itself not a concern … CCI can see if dominance abused or not'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/ashok-kumar-gupta-concentration-of-power-by-itself-not-a-concern-cci-can-see-if-dominance-abused-or-not-7146664/|access-date=2021-09-24|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>


Gupta went on to receive his M.Phil. in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.<ref name=":0" />
=== COVID-19 response ===
As CCI Chair, Gupta helped coordinate India's regulatory policies during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], which disrupted the country's economic function. In conjunction with the governments of [[Brazil]], [[Russia]], [[China]], and [[South Africa]], the Gupta-led CCI signed onto the “Statement of the [[BRICS]] Competition Authorities on COVID-19”.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Ashok Kumar|date=2021-04-13|title=The Year Gone By… Competition Law in the Time of a Pandemic – Some Reflections|url=https://www.competitionpolicyinternational.com/the-year-gone-by-competition-law-in-the-time-of-a-pandemic-some-reflections/|access-date=2021-09-24|website=Competition Policy International|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, the Gupta-led CCI received approximately 85 [[Mergers and acquisitions|combination]] filings, with 74 being approved by the commission, including three with remedies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=PTI|title=Competition Commission to have regional presence; more streamlined processes: CCI chief|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/competition-comm-to-have-regional-presence-more-streamlined-processes-cci-chief/article33485884.ece|access-date=2021-09-24|website=@businessline|language=en}}</ref>


== Career ==
=== Approach to technology industry issues ===
In the wake of efforts to regulate large [[Technology industry|technology companies]] in China, the [[United States]], and the [[European Union]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amaro|first=Silvia|date=2021-09-24|title=China and the U.S. are challenging Europe's role as top tech regulator|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/24/china-and-the-us-are-challenging-europes-role-as-top-tech-regulator.html|access-date=2021-09-24|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> Gupta has advocated for India to take a similar approach towards "Big Tech". Gupta has argued that digital markets have become "centres for entrenched and unchecked dominance", and under his leadership the CCI has launched investigations into [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] and [[Google]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-11|title=CCI Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta: Digital markets lately have become 'centres for unchecked dominance'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/cci-chairman-digital-markets-lately-have-become-centres-for-unchecked-dominance-7429170/|access-date=2021-09-24|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>


=== As an IAS Officer ===
In an address to the [[ASSOCHAM]] trade association, Gupta hinted that he supported new legislation to supplement or replace the [[The Competition Act, 2002|2002 Competition Act]]. Gupta suggested that the law, which governs Indian competition law, has proven insufficient in the face of concentration in the technology industry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Competition Commission Chief Hints At Changes In Legislation|url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/competition-commission-chief-hints-at-changes-in-legislation-2551457|access-date=2021-09-24|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
Gupta joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1981 and has since served in various posts in both the Union and Tamil Nadu Governments as well as in Central and State Public Sector Units. These include the following<ref name=":0" />:

* 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 Secretary. & 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; and
* Deputy Chairman, Chennai Port Trust.

=== Secretary, Defence Production ===
Gupta was appointed Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Defence Production, on 15 May 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-05-25 |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> Within this role, he was responsible for liberalising the licensing regime and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, undertaking measures such as prioritising procurement from Indian vendors, and enabling access to state-of-the-art technology by raising the cap on FDI in the defence sector.

=== Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements ===
Gupta was the Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements, from June 2005 to April 2007 and led a net profit in 2006–07.

=== Joint Secretary, Department of Health ===
As Joint Secretary, Department of Health, Gupta handled key projects relating to International Cooperation, World Bank, and WHO. He was also instrumental in setting up the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi.

⚫
=== Competition Commission of India (CCI) ===
Gupta was appointed chair of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 12 November 2018.<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 |access-date=2021-09-24}}</ref> Gupta has focused on reinforcing the Commission’s enforcement and advocacy actions in digital markets<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-15 |title=Ashok Kumar Gupta: 'Concentration of power by itself not a concern … CCI can see if dominance abused or not' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/ashok-kumar-gupta-concentration-of-power-by-itself-not-a-concern-cci-can-see-if-dominance-abused-or-not-7146664/ |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> through stakeholder engagement and market studies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Ashok Kumar |date=2021-04-13 |title=The Year Gone By… Competition Law in the Time of a Pandemic – Some Reflections |url=https://www.competitionpolicyinternational.com/the-year-gone-by-competition-law-in-the-time-of-a-pandemic-some-reflections/ |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=Competition Policy International |language=en-US}}</ref> These include a market study on e-commerce, which proposed self-regulatory measures for e-commerce marketplaces to aid transparency and competition,<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=Competition Commission to have regional presence; more streamlined processes: CCI chief |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/competition-comm-to-have-regional-presence-more-streamlined-processes-cci-chief/article33485884.ece |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=@businessline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amaro |first=Silvia |date=2021-09-24 |title=China and the U.S. are challenging Europe's role as top tech regulator |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/24/china-and-the-us-are-challenging-europes-role-as-top-tech-regulator.html |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=CCI Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta: Digital markets lately have become 'centres for unchecked dominance' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/cci-chairman-digital-markets-lately-have-become-centres-for-unchecked-dominance-7429170/ |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> and a telecom sector market study (2020), which highlighted data privacy as a factor of non-price competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Competition Commission Chief Hints At Changes In Legislation |url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/competition-commission-chief-hints-at-changes-in-legislation-2551457 |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

Other areas of focus at CCI under Gupta’s leadership included responding to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.<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=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref><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=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>

Further, during this period, CCI introduced an automatic system of approval for combinations under ‘Green Channel’ on 15 August 2019 to expedite M&A filings approval.<ref>{{Cite web |title=View: How the Competition Commission of India can play a crucial role in India's post-Covid economic recovery |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/view-the-role-of-the-competition-commission-of-india-is-crucial-in-indias-post-covid-economic-recovery/articleshow/78436205.cms |website=The Economic Times}}</ref>

A new confidentiality regime was also put in place for privileged information relating to companies and their business operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-19 |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> Additional initiatives included the establishment of regional offices in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANI |title=Sitharaman inaugurates Competition Commission of India's regional office in Chennai |url=http://businessworld.in/article/Sitharaman-inaugurates-Competition-Commission-of-India-s-regional-office-in-Chennai/26-02-2021-382284 |website=BW Businessworld |language=en}}</ref>

=== Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) ===
Gupta held the additional charge of Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) from 1 October 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2021 |title=Office Order |url=https://nfra.gov.in/sites/default/files/Extension%20of%20CP.pdf}}</ref> to 31 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=CCI Chairman Gupta to be NFRA chief for three months: MCA |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/cci-chairman-gupta-to-be-nfra-chief-for-three-months-mca/article36757430.ece |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Hony. Chairman, Forum of Indian Regulators (FOIR) ===
Gupta is the current Hony. Chairman of the Forum of Indian Regulators (FOIR).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forum of Indian Regulators - Profile |url=http://foir-india.org/profile.php |website=foir-india.org}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 11:55, 6 October 2022

Ashok Kumar Gupta
Chair of the Competition Commission of India
Assumed office
12 November 2018
Preceded byDevender Kumar Sikri
Personal details
Born26 October 1957
NationalityIndian
SpouseDr. Priti Gupta
EducationDelhi University (Mechanical Engineering)
Syracuse University (M.P.A.)
University of Madras (M.Phil)
ProfessionCivil Servant

Ashok Kumar Gupta (Hindi: अशोक कुमार गुप्ता) has served for over 40 years in public service, across sectors from industry and finance, to health and defence production. He has held key positions in the Central Government of India, such as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India, Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Defence Production, as well as several positions in the Ministries of Health, Heavy Industries, Shipping, MSME, and Commerce & Industry.

His positions within the Tamil Nadu Government include CMD, Tamil Nadu Cements, Special Secretary (Finance), and Distt. Magistrate, Villupuram.

At the Centre, Gupta has contributed to the formulation of government policies, including Automobile Policy, Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana, and ‘Make’ Procedure in defence procurement, as well as establishing Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi. He has served on the Boards of Central and State PSUs such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Heavy Engineering Corporation, and Tamil Nadu Cements.[1]

Education

Gupta has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi University. Subsequently, he received a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Syracuse University (SU). Gupta’s Master’s project at SU, “Regulatory Framework for Health Care Organisations in India”, contributed to the Central Government’s decision of enacting the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.[2]

Gupta went on to receive his M.Phil. in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.[1]

Career

As an IAS Officer

Gupta joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1981 and has since served in various posts in both the Union and Tamil Nadu Governments as well as in Central and State Public Sector Units. These include the following[1]:

  • 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 Secretary. & 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; and
  • Deputy Chairman, Chennai Port Trust.

Secretary, Defence Production

Gupta was appointed Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Defence Production, on 15 May 2015.[3] Within this role, he was responsible for liberalising the licensing regime and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, undertaking measures such as prioritising procurement from Indian vendors, and enabling access to state-of-the-art technology by raising the cap on FDI in the defence sector.

Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements

Gupta was the Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Cements, from June 2005 to April 2007 and led a net profit in 2006–07.

Joint Secretary, Department of Health

As Joint Secretary, Department of Health, Gupta handled key projects relating to International Cooperation, World Bank, and WHO. He was also instrumental in setting up the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi.

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

Gupta was appointed chair of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 12 November 2018.[4] Gupta has focused on reinforcing the Commission’s enforcement and advocacy actions in digital markets[5] through stakeholder engagement and market studies.[6] These include a market study on e-commerce, which proposed self-regulatory measures for e-commerce marketplaces to aid transparency and competition,[7][8][9] and a telecom sector market study (2020), which highlighted data privacy as a factor of non-price competition.[10]

Other areas of focus at CCI under Gupta’s leadership included responding to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[11][12]

Further, during this period, CCI introduced an automatic system of approval for combinations under ‘Green Channel’ on 15 August 2019 to expedite M&A filings approval.[13]

A new confidentiality regime was also put in place for privileged information relating to companies and their business operations.[14] Additional initiatives included the establishment of regional offices in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.[15]

Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

Gupta held the additional charge of Chairperson, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) from 1 October 2021[16] to 31 March 2022.[17]

Hony. Chairman, Forum of Indian Regulators (FOIR)

Gupta is the current Hony. Chairman of the Forum of Indian Regulators (FOIR).[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Commission". Competition Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2016-05-11.
  2. ^ Gupta, Ashok (1984-01-01). "A Study Of R&D/Marketing Interface And Innovation Success In High Technology Firms". Business Administration - Dissertations.
  3. ^ "Ashok Kumar Gupta Takes Over as The New Secretary (Defence Production)". Business Standard India. 2015-05-25.
  4. ^ "Ashok Kumar Gupta appointed as the chairman of Competition Commission of India". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  5. ^ "Ashok Kumar Gupta: 'Concentration of power by itself not a concern … CCI can see if dominance abused or not'". The Indian Express. 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  6. ^ Gupta, Ashok Kumar (2021-04-13). "The Year Gone By… Competition Law in the Time of a Pandemic – Some Reflections". Competition Policy International. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  7. ^ PTI. "Competition Commission to have regional presence; more streamlined processes: CCI chief". @businessline. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  8. ^ Amaro, Silvia (2021-09-24). "China and the U.S. are challenging Europe's role as top tech regulator". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  9. ^ "CCI Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta: Digital markets lately have become 'centres for unchecked dominance'". The Indian Express. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  10. ^ "Competition Commission Chief Hints At Changes In Legislation". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  11. ^ "Regulating competition in times of Covid-19". Financialexpress.
  12. ^ "Regulating competition in times of Covid-19". Financialexpress.
  13. ^ "View: How the Competition Commission of India can play a crucial role in India's post-Covid economic recovery". The Economic Times.
  14. ^ "Confidentiality regime to be introduced within a month: CCI Chairman". Business Today. 2022-01-19.
  15. ^ ANI. "Sitharaman inaugurates Competition Commission of India's regional office in Chennai". BW Businessworld.
  16. ^ "Office Order" (PDF). 31 December 2021.
  17. ^ "CCI Chairman Gupta to be NFRA chief for three months: MCA". www.thehindubusinessline.com. 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  18. ^ "Forum of Indian Regulators - Profile". foir-india.org.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ashok_Kumar_Gupta&oldid=1114419549"