Authority to curb GST profiteering
CONSUMER FIRST Move to ensure benefits are passed on
NEW DELHI: A day after reduced goods and services tax (GST) rates on more than 200 items, including chocolates, shampoo and restaurant bills kicked in, the union Cabinet chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday approved the establishment of a powerful national body to ensure that benefits of such tariff cuts are passed on to consumers.
Named the National AntiProfiteering Authority (NAA), the body will provide an institutional mechanism to ensure that the full benefits of input tax credits and reduced GST rates on supply of goods or services flow to consumers. This institutional framework comprises the NAA, a Standing Committee, Screening Committees in every state and the Directorate General of Safeguards in the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC).
Although consumer-friendly, some experts have pointed to the fact that this body could mean more government, not less, and National Anti-profiteering Authority set up
To ensure that full benefits of input tax credits and reduced GST rates are passed on to consumers
To be headed by a secretary-level official, with four technical members from centre and states that it could result in the harassment of businesses in some cases. Still, the anti-profiteering body is a temporary one, part of the transitory phase as India moves to a unified tax regime. The body will have a life of two years.
Affected consumers who feel the benefit of commensurate reduction in prices is not being passed on when they purchase any goods or services may apply for relief to the Screening Committee in the particular state. Consumer raises a complaint before NAA
NAA standing committee refers the matter to Director General of Safeguards, CBEC
DGS reports its findings to NAA NAA orders business to pass on full benefit to consumer
If it cannot be returned, it can be deposited in the Consumer Welfare Fund
In extreme cases, the guilty business could lose GST registration
However, in case the incident of profiteering relates to an item of mass impact with ‘All-india’ ramification, the application may be directly made to the Standing Committee.
After forming a prima facie view that there is an element of profiteering, the Standing Committee shall refer the matter for detailed investigation to the Director General of Safeguards, CBEC, which will report its findings to the NAA.