Odisha, Maharashtra receive maximum GST complaints

NEWDELHI: Odisha has topped the tally of states with the highest number of complaints against traders overcharging customers after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax on July 1.

Odisha received 123 complaints between July 1 and August 31, closely followed by Maharashtra with 120.

Utt ar Pradesh received 33 complaints, while nine states— Assam, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand — did not receive even a single complaint.

The grievances included retailers illegally charging GST from consumers over and above the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on pre-packed commodities, charging revised MRP without advertising or putting stickers of the revised price and charging revised MRP beyond the prescribed limit of GST.

Retailers charging GST over and above the maximum retail price printed on pre-packed commodities was the major complaint received by the legal metrology departments under the consumer affairs ministry in various states.

While there were 216 complaints about charging GST on MRP, complaints related to charging revised MRP without advertising or putting stickers of the revised price followed at 130.

In total, the legal metrology departments of various states and Union Territories received 394 complaints.

Ram Manohar Mishra, controller of legal metrology, Uttar Pradesh, said several companies were yet to share the revised MRPs with their distributors or retailers.

Inspectors also found that some retailers first offered hefty discounts on their products but illegally charged 12-18% GST on the discounted rates, he added.

IN TOTAL, THE LEGAL METROLOGY DEPARTMENTS OF VARIOUS STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES RECEIVED 394 COMPLAINTS