On
account of implementation of GST w.e.f. 1st July, 2017, there may be
instances where the retail sale price of a pre-packaged commodity is required
to be changed. In this context, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has allowed the manufacturers
or packers or importers of pre-packaged commodities to declare the change
retail sale price (MRP) on the unsold stock manufactured/ packed/ imported
prior to 1st July, 2017 after inclusion of the increased amount of
tax due to GST if any, in addition to the existing retail sale price (MRP), for
three months w.e.f. 1st July 2017 to 30th September,
2017. Declaration of the changed retail sale price (MRP) shall be made by way
of stamping or putting sticker or online printing, as the case may be.
It is also clarified that ‘for
reducing the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), a sticker with the revised lower MRP
(inclusive of all taxes) may be affixed and the same shall not cover the MRP
declaration made by the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be, on the
label of the package’.
Use of unexhausted packaging material/wrapper has also been allowed upto 30th
September, 2017 after making the necessary corrections.
Ø
Consumer
protection has always been a major thrust area of Government.
Ø The
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 are framed to regulate the
pre-packaged commodities. Rule 6 of the said
rules provides that every package shall bear thereon the following
declarations:
(i) Name
and address of the manufacturer/ packer/ importer;
(ii)
Common or generic name of the commodity contained in the package;
(iii)
Net quantity, in terms of standard unit of weight or measure or in number;
(iv)
Month and year of manufacture/ pack/ import;
(v) Retail sale price in the form of Maximum Retail Price (MRP) Rs….. Inclusive of all taxes;
(vi)
Consumer care details.
AK
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