THREE COMPANIES SERVED NOTICES FOR NOT PASSING ON GST BENEFITS

NEWDELHI: The anti-profiteering watchdog setup under the goods and services tax law has laun– ched a probe into three entities for allegedly not passing on the benefit of tax cuts to customers.

The entities facing investigation are Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd ., which runs McDonald’ s restaurants in west and south of India, department store chain Lifestyle International Pvt Ltd and a Jaipur-based trading company dealing in consumer packaged goods made by Hindustan Unilever products, a person familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity .

The Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS), an investigating body under the revenue department, has issued notices to these entities based on the reference from the National Anti- Profiteering Authority( NA A ).

The DGS has three months to complete the probe, which could be further extended by three months. After that the NAA, led by chairman BN Sharma, has three months to decide on the findings including the penalty if warranted, said another source.

Amit Jatia, vice-chairman of Hard castle Restaurants, which is the McDonald’ s partner for South and West India, did not respond to messages, calls and emails at the time of going to press. E-mails sent to Lifestyle International Pvt Ltd remained unanswered at the time-of-going to press. Mint could not immediately reach Sharma Trading Co in Jaipur.