GST-related 3000 complaints have been received by the National Consumer Helpline since the inception of the revised rates. For additional action, some of these complaints are being sent to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare stated, “Every day, we are receiving complaints. So far, we have received close to 3,000 consumer complaints.” The Ministry is surveying instances where consumers are being defrauded through misleading discount practices to avoid passing on the advantages of lowered GST rates, she expressed.
The complaints regarding NCH’s convergence partners are being forwarded to them, and their responses are being tracked. Simultaneously, the Ministry is sending complaints about profiteering to CBIC.
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Earlier this month, the Ministry made an important announcement regarding the enhancement of the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) to improve its ability to address GST-related complaints. A new dedicated category has been introduced on the INGRAM (Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism) portal, specifically designed for this purpose.
This category features significant sub-categories, including Automobiles, Banking, Consumer Durables, E-commerce, and FMCG. Consumers can now efficiently register their GST complaints within these specific areas.
As per Nidhi Khare, the Ministry is reviewing the complaints for the use of dark patterns or the use of these discounts, which are misleading or contain misleading advertisements, and follow biased trade practices where reduced GST benefits have not been given to the consumers.
