Explain the concept of Competition Advocacy u/s 49 of the Competition Act, 2002.

Under Section 49 of the Competition Act, 2002, the Central Government / State Government may seek the opinion of Competition Commission of India on the possible effects of the policy on competition or any other matter. In this context Section 49 envisages that while formulating a policy on competition, the Government may make a reference to the commission for its opinion on possible effect of such a policy on the competition, or any other matter. On the receipt of such a reference the Commission shall give its opinion on it to the Central Government/ State Government within sixty days of making of such a reference and the latter may formulate the policy as it deems fit. The role of the Commission is advisory and the opinion given by the Commission shall not be binding upon the Central Government/ State Government in formulating such policy. The Commission is also empowered to take suitable measures for the: Promotion of competition advocacy; creating awareness about the competition; imparting training about competition issues. Creating awareness about benefits of competition and imparting training in competition issues is expected to generate conducive environment to promote and foster competition, which is sine-qua non for accelerating economic growth.