The government is closely monitoring e-commerce platforms after receiving complaints that some firms raised the prices of packaged items following the rollout of the new two-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, an official told the media on Monday.
“There were complaints about some e-commerce platforms not passing on the GST cuts,” the official said, adding that authorities are keeping a strict vigil on whether companies have passed on tax benefits to consumers and are informally taking up the issue with them. One platform attributed discrepancies in pre- and post-GST pricing to ‘technical glitches’.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has already received close to 3,000 complaints related to GST since the implementation of the reduced rates. She explained that the ministry is analysing complaints for potential dark patterns, misleading discounts, or advertisements that may amount to unfair trade practices if the benefits of GST cuts are not passed on to consumers.
“If there are too many complaints from different sectors, they will be qualified for a class action. We are keeping a watch on this. We will surely take notice of anything where consumers are getting cheated with misleading discounts,” Khare said.
India rolled out a two-tier GST structure with 5 per cent and 18 per cent rates on 22 September, replacing the earlier four-rate system. The 56th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved Next-Gen GST reforms, with a focus on improving the lives of the common man and ensuring ease of doing business for all, including small traders and businessmen. |
