GST regime: Mumbai consumers charged more for LED bulb, soft drink, mineral water

Mumbai city news: In the first case, Rakesh Electronics in Kandivli (West) tried to sell an LED bulb for Rs110, higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs100

Within days of the new goods and service tax regime coming into effect, the legal metrology department has received four complaints of overpricing – two in Mumbai, one each in Lonavala and Phaltan.

In the first case, Rakesh Electronics in Kandivli (West) tried to sell an LED bulb for Rs110, higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs100. A restaurant at Byculla charged Rs18 for a bottle of soft drink, with a price tag of Rs10.

Also, a hotel along the old Mumbai-Pune highway near Lonavala sold a bottle of mineral water bottle (MRP of Rs20) to a customer for Rs 45, while a shopkeeper in Phaltan in Satara district charged Rs12 for a pouch of tobacco that costs Rs9.

To complain

You can register a complaint on the LMD’s Facebook page — Legal Metrology Maharashtra Consumer Grievances — over its WhatsApp number—9869691666, via e-mail — dclmm_complaints@yahoo.com — or by simply calling the control room — 022-22622022

“The customers informed us on our helpline number– 022-22622022 – and sent mails to us on dclmm_complaints@yahoo.com,” LMD controller Amitabh Gupta told HT on Tuesday.

Following the receipt of the complaints, Gupta said LMD teams raided the premises. “We are going to impose a fine of Rs2,000 on each of these establishments. If any one of them is found to have indulged in a similar practice in the past, a charge sheet will be filed,” Gupta added.

HT had carried a report about the alert sounded by LMD across the state about the possible spurt in overpricing of retail goods by unscrupulous businessmen by taking advantage the initial confusion over GST.

Apart from activating its seven regional units, including Mumbai, the LMD had urged consumers to inform instances of overpricing on the 24x7 helplines activated for the purpose.