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Profiteering complaints against Grofers, Starbucks and Lodha Developers
KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)
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Summary
As government steps up the vigil against profiteering under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the anti-profiteering agency is examining complaints against Grofers, Starbucks and Lodha Developers.
As government steps up the vigil against profiteering under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the anti-profiteering agency is examining complaints against Grofers, Starbucks and Lodha Developers.
According to sources, complaints that the agency has received accuse Grofers, Starbucks and Lodha Developers of profiteering and not passing on the benefits of lower GST rates post November 2017.
The agency however, is yet to send notices to Grofers, Starbucks and Lodha Developers.
Meanwhile, talking to CNBCTV18, government officials said that “initial rounds of investigations have started and the complaints received are at the level of standing and screening committee.”
Under the anti-profiteering mechanism, a complaints is first handed over to the screening committee at the state level, and in case more than one complaint is received against the same entity then it is directly handed over to the standing committee.
Both the screening and the standing committees, look into the complaints, examine and investigate for a prima facie evidence of profiteering.
Post confirmation of prima facie evidence, the complaint is then moved to the directorate general of anti-profiteering for further detailed investigations.
After DG-AP establishes profiteering, the complaint is then moved to the national anti-profiteering authority for adjudication.
When contacted, SoftBank-backed online grocer Grofers co-founder Albinder Dhindsa told CNBC TV18, “We haven’t received any intimation from the authorities about the same. In any case, our promise of lowest prices to customers means we always pass along all possible benefits to our customers. We will be happy to engage with the authorities in case any clarification is required.”
Abhishek Lodha, managing director and chief executive officer of Lodha Group was also reached out by CNBCTV18 and he said: “We have not been given any notice. When GST was implemented, for every development, we passed on the GST credit through a formal letter to our customers. So A- I am not aware and B- If there is, we will of course present the facts because you know putting a complaint in this country is not the most difficult thing.”
On the other hand, coffee chain giant Starbucks did not respond to an email query.
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