NEW DELHI: Faced with increasing number of complaints under the anti-profiteering rules, the Finance Ministry will soon come out with a standard operating procedure (SOP) for handling grievances relating to over- charging after GST roll out.As many as 170 complaints have been filed before the standing committee and screening committee by consumers against businesses for not passing on benefits of tax rate reduction since the roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1.Of this, 50 have been referred to the Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS) for further investigation on profiteering complaint. The probe in five cases has already begun.According to sources, it may not be feasible for DGS to scrutinise such large number of complaints and give its report to the National Anti-Profiteering Authority within the stipulated three months. "An SoP is being worked out to enable expeditious resolution of consumer complaints. The effort would be to ensure that only complaints which have merit are passed on to the DGS," the source told PTI.Once the complaints are referred to the DGS, the directorate is required to study balance sheet , profit and loss account, GST returns and details of invoice wise outward taxable supplies made by the company.It also has to scrutinise the price list prior to and post GST roll out before giving its report to the Anti- Profiteering Authority for further action. "Scrutinising large number of complaints in a short period of three months is not feasible.

Source: Economic Times January 07, 2018 04:30 UTC