Dixit said a few sectors were compliant with the antiprofiteering clause of the GST law and were promptly passing the benefit of lower prices to consumers. Many sectors were still selling goods at older prices, he added.
The GST Council had on November 15 reduced tax rates and moved 177 items from the highest slab (28%) to 18% and lower brackets. The Centre had also set up an anti-profiteering authority to monitor compliance. The traders were told to reduce MRP in accordance with the lowered GST in consultation with manufacturers and affix stickers of the new MRP on packages.
“If traders affix the new MRP, then it must not mask the older one, as the consumer should know the difference between the old and new price. But many traders are found to be selling at old MRPs. There have been instances where sellers are collecting higher prices than the old MRP in the guise of GST,” said M Mamatha, assistant controller of Karnataka Legal Metrology.
Mamatha, who heads a flying squad, said the department of legal metrology carried out 1,557 inspections for four days after November 24 across Karnataka and 183 cases of profiteering were booked. “A few sectors, including ceramic ware, are following the MRP rules, while many commodities, especially from the FMCG and stationery sectors, are being sold at higher prices,” she said.
Traders, however, are distraught over frequently changing GST rules, making compliance practically impossible.
Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gst-rate-cut-not-benefiting-citizens-15000-cases-of-mrp-violations-booked/articleshow/62063591.cms
