If a consumer is denied the benefit of the reduced GST rates on Covid relief items such as some medicines, thermometer, oximeter or hand sanitiser, he/she can file a complaint that will be taken up on priority basis by the tax authorities.
The National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) has already communicated to tax officials to take up any complaint filed by consumers on priority and to forward the same to the anti-profiteering apparatus the State-level screening committee and the standing committee for anti-profiteering.
It reiterated to officials to exercise power under the law for collection evidence, which may be required to take action against errant suppliers of various goods and services.
Profiteering
According to Section 171 of the CGST Act 2017, suppliers of goods and services should pass on the benefit of any reduction in the tax rate or of the input tax credit by way of a commensurate reduction in prices.
Wilfully not passing on the above benefits to the recipients in the manner prescribed is known as ‘profiteering’.
The complainant should have evidence to lodge a complaint with the NAA. A valid invoice of the transaction is necessary for acceptance of complaint.
Tracking complaints
One can file the compliant on helpline number 011-21400643, online at www.naa.gov.in, by mail or by post to the designated official of State screening committees, Standing Committee at sc.antiprofiteering@gov.in, National Anti-Profiteering Authority where the complaint is in the nature of State-level or local, national level, grievance redress, respectively. Post filing, the complainant can track the online complaint through http://www.naa.gov.in/ track-complaint.php.