New Delhi: The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) on Tuesday initiated a probe into tall claims made by private B-school Indian Institute of Planning and Management.
The ad campaigns of the Arindam Chaudhuri-controlled school promise free laptops and foreign trips for students "for a globalised learning environment".
"Every year, 100 per cent of IIPM students are taken free of cost to Europe, USA and across the globe to get first hand experience of how the best in the world work as a compulsory part of IIPM programme," claimed the institute in newspaper advertisements.
It was these campaigns that attracted the attention of MRTPC that subsequently directed its investigative arm DGIR last week to look into the promises.
MRTPC has reportedly asked DGIR to investigate the matter under the powers granted to it in section 36 A of the MRTP Act 1969. This act says the Commission may initiate an enquiry upon its knowledge or by getting an information in the form of complaints.
The anti-monopoly watchdog reportedly suspects that cost of such tours and laptops etc. are recovered from the students later in form of other payments.
If during the probe, DGIR finds that the ads are indeed misleading, then a case of unfair trade practices will be filed before the Commission.
Incidentally, the body has received complaints against the institute in the past as well.
DGIR has to submit the investigation report to the Commission within 90 days. However, sources say this could be extended.
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