Helpline gets 215 complaints but action will have to wait

Mumbai: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) helpline for Maharashtra that was put in place on Wednesday has received over 215 complaints from consumers in two days, but the screening committee is yet to lay down the guidelines under which action can be initiated against those flouting the anti-profiteering law.

In the complaints that flooded the helpline since the revision of GST rates from 12 and 18 per cent to 5 per cent, most were about restaurants or eateries that were still charging consumers 18 per cent GST.

Some complainants said they had even showed hoteliers media articles about the revision of GST rates, but the latter claimed they were not notified of any such change.

The hoteliers had said until the Government sends a formal notification, they were not obligated to make any changes, the complainants said.

Amitabh Gupta, controller of the Legal Metrology Department (LMD) told The Asian Age, “We are keeping a close eye on the nature of complaints, and once the Anti-Profiteering Act is put in place, legal action will be taken.”

Mr Gupta also added, “Till now we have received over 215 complaints, and we shall send a notice to the faulty party.”

Consumers in Maharashtra have been advised to contact the GST helpline number at 022-22622022 if they find any discrepancy in the bills or have any queries related to the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

State GST commissioner Rajiv Jalota said, “Once the guidelines are in place, screening committee will take up the complaints. Within a week things should calm down, and wherever exemplary things are noticed, appropriate action will be taken.”