KOCHI: The Legal Metrology Department on Tuesday launched a drive to nab traders who do not pass the benefits of the revised GST rates on goods to the consumers.The LMD officers who conducted a surprise check at a healthcare equipment store at a mall here registered a case against the firm for selling electronic weigh balance without implementing the revised GST rate.
LMD Central Zone deputy controller R Ram Mohan said, the rate of several goods was reduced after the revision of GST rates. However, traders still continue to charge according to the old GST slab. “The healthcare equipment selling outlet did not possess the licence for selling the weigh balance. They were selling the product at the old GST rate of 28 per cent without incorporating the revised rate of 18 per cent,” he said.
The LMD registered a case under section 23 of the Legal Metrology Act and section 18 under the Packaged Commodity Rule. A fine of `7,000 has been imposed on them for violating GST norms. If the offence is repeated, the LMD will initiate prosecution steps against the shop.
The officers conducted raids at ayurveda medicine outlets in the wake of complaints the outlets were charging exorbitant rates for various products. The raids were held at Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki districts under the LMD Central Zone. Seven cases were registered. A case was also registered against a hotel operating near the St Alberts College here for charging exorbitant rate on mineral water in the guise of GST.