The government will not further extend the deadline for selling pre-GST stock with revised maximum retail price (MRP) stickers beyond this month, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan has said on the World Consumer Rights Day.
When the goods and service tax (GST) came to be implemented from July 1st last year, the government had allowed marketers to display alongside the old MRP, details of the revised MRP on pre-GST stocks by way of stamping, putting sticker, or online printing.
The process of sticking revised MRP on packaged products had to be undertaken by manufacturers, packers and importers only, the department had notified.
The department of consumer affairs had been receiving requests from the industry to extend the deadline so it was easier to liquidate pre-GST stocks.
The deadline was extended from September 30th to December 31st last year and finally to 31st March this year.
The Minister said that the industry has received enough time to comply with post-GST changes. “If retailers do not comply with the mandate, we will see what punishment suits them,” Paswan said.
In case of increase in price of the commodity after implementation of GST, it had to be notified to the department (of consumer affairs) and also advertised in national newspapers by the manufacturers.
The deadline will not be extended unless the GST Council decides otherwise, added Paswan.”We are not in favour of the extension. Let the GST Council decide,” he said.