Pricey variants after GST cuts? Govt keeps watch for mischief

The Centre is going all out to stop companies from sidestepping the cuts in goods and services tax rates.

- Dhirendra Kumar

Going a step beyond its vigil on maximum retail prices, the consumer affairs ministry is set to monitor complaints of price manipulation, especially tactics such as retiring old models, adding minor or cosmetic features and passing them off as new, upgraded variants with a higher price tag, according to two officials in the know.

Consumer complaints in such cases will be linked with revenue enforcement to prevent unfair pricing practices and tighten oversight on profiteering.

With no anti-profiteering body in place, the consumer affairs ministry will especially focus on complaints related to price manipulation by businesses in the guise of changing features of consumer durable products, the officials said.

The products under scrutiny include all categories of vehicles, toys, fast-moving consumer goods, among other goods that have seen price changes following the goods an services tax (GST) revisions this week.