"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">The Government clarified how it ensures that consumers receive the full benefits of GST rate reductions across goods and services. Following the rationalisation of GST rates in the 56th GST Council meeting on 3 September 2025, the CBIC began monitoring prices of key commodities, including packaged foods and medicines, to verify that companies and traders passed on the reduced tax burden to consumers. Trade associations were sensitised through meetings led by the CBIC Chairman, urging members to reflect rate cuts in consumer prices. The NPPA instructed pharmaceutical manufacturers to revise MRPs accordingly, while the Department of Consumer Affairs advised manufacturers to affix revised price stickers on unsold inventory. Public outreach was carried out through media campaigns and FAQs. Consumers were guided to lodge complaints through the National Consumer Helpline or INGRAM portal, and a CBIC Nodal Officer was appointed to address such issues. Complaints supported by evidence are acted upon appropriately.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">MINISTRY OF FINANCE
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">LOK SABHA
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 157

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2025/AGRAHAYANA 10, 1947 (SAKA)

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">GST REDUCTION BENEFITS TO CONSUMERS

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">157. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(a) the manner in which the Government ensures that the benefits of reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on various goods and services are duly passed on to consumers by companies and traders in the country;

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(b) whether the Government has issued any guidelines or monitoring mechanism to ensure that companies reduce the prices of their products or services in proportion to the GST reduction, if so, the details thereof;

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(c) whether any complaints have been received by the Government regarding companies or business entities failing to pass on the GST reduction benefits to consumers; and

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(d) if so, the details of actions taken by the Government against such companies, including penalties imposed?

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">ANSWER
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(a) & (b)

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">I. In the 56^{"), pointer; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">th}"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;"> GST Council meeting held on 03.09.2025, rationalization of GST rates was done. Subsequent to that, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is monitoring the price of important commodities including packaged food items and medicines, pre and post 22^{"), pointer; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">nd} "), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">September, 2025, to see that the benefits are duly passed on to end consumers. From the inputs received in this regard, it is observed that these benefits have duly been passed on to the end-consumers post GST rate reduction.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">II. Further, meetings were held at the level of Chairman, CBIC with trade associations along with representatives of line Ministries to address implementation challenges and emphasize passing on the GST benefits. Such Trade Bodies and Associations were informed to ensure that their members pass on the full benefit of rate cuts to consumers, consequent to GST rate reduction w.e.f. 22^{"), pointer; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">nd}"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;"> September, 2025 on various goods.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">III. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) vide OMs dated 12.9.2025 and 13.9.2025 clarified that all manufacturers/ marketing companies selling drugs/ formulations shall revise the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of drugs/formulations (including medical devices).

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">IV. The Department of Consumer Affairs has also issued an Advisory dated 18th September, 2025 wherein they informed that the manufacturers/packers/importers/their representatives to voluntarily affix additional revised price sticker, on unsold packages manufactured before 22nd September, 2025 and are lying with them, provided the original price declaration on the package is not obstructed.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">V. Wide publicity campaigns were undertaken to spread awareness about GST rate rationalization through print media, social media, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) published on CBIC website, etc.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">(c) & (d)

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">I. Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) was prepared and uploaded on CBIC website to guide consumers to call National Consumer Helpline (NCH) or register queries/complaints on the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) portal in case they have queries/complaints regarding not receiving benefits of GST rate changes.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">II. Nodal Officer for CBIC has been nominated for coordinating
"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">responses to queries raised or issues flagged on National Consumer Helpline set up by Department of Consumer Affairs.

"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">"), pointer; position: relative; box-shadow: none !important;">III. Appropriate action is being taken on such complaints registered on National Consumer Helpline when supported by documentary evidences.