In a significant move to safeguard consumer interests, officials from the Legal Metrology Department have issued clear directives to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers regarding the mandatory revision of Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) in light of recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms.
During a meeting held on Monday, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar emphasized the importance of promptly passing on the benefits of reduced GST rates, particularly those introduced under ‘GST 2.0,’ directly to the end consumer. He instructed the Legal Metrology Department to ensure this implementation diligently.
The department is tasked with enforcing the provisions of the Legal Metrology (LM) Act, 2009, and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Controller of Legal Metrology, Saurabh Gaur, highlighted that GST revisions inherently require MRP adjustments on packaged goods. This is crucial for reflecting accurate pricing and, more importantly, for preventing any potential exploitation of consumers by businesses.
To facilitate these changes, manufacturers, distributors, and retail sellers are now required to affix new stickers displaying the revised MRPs on all unsold packages. Furthermore, packers and importers bear the responsibility of actively informing both dealers and consumers about these GST rate reductions through various communication channels, including print and electronic media.
Consumers who encounter instances of traders collecting excess MRP or failing to update prices correctly are encouraged to register their complaints by dialing the toll-free helpline number 1967.