Kerala to take penal action against traders charging above MRP

Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 (PTI): The Kerala government today warned of stern action, including registration of cases against traders who hike prices of commodities more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) after the launch of GST.

State-wide raids would be carried out to check the unhealthy practice among traders and facilitation committees would be set up in all districts to monitor and redress the complaints, Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac said here. He also asked the Centre to take immediate steps to implement the Anti-profiteering clause under the GST law to stop the tendency of traders increasing price of commodities.

“As per an estimate, about Rs 1 lakh crore tax reduction on various commodities are expected with the launch of GST.

Normally, this reduction amount has to be passed on to consumers,” he told reporters.

“But, the present concern is that whether that will happen or the trade and business will make undue profit out of this,” he said.

He said the government would not let off anyone, including hoteliers and theatre owners, to make undue profit in the name of GST. Over 240 raids were carried out so far based on complaints of price hike post GST and 90 cases have been filed in this regard in the state, he said.