HYDERABAD: Legal Metrology sleuths raided several shopping malls and supermarkets in the city and filed 125 cases on Thursday pertaining to Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations.
Under the supervision of Legal Metrology controller Akun Sabharwal, 16 teams comprising 32 officers conducted raids at shopping malls and supermarkets in Manikonda, Madhapur, Hi-Tec City, Bachupally, Kompally,
Banjara Hills,
Jubilee Hills, Nampally,
Serilingampally,
Gachibowli, Begum Bazaar,
Kukatpally, Miyapur, Ameerpet and LB Nagar, in the Greater Hyderabad region.
During the raids, Legal Metrology sleuths noticed that several shopkeepers are violating GST and Legal Metrology rules.
After the raids, 125 cases have been filed against shopkeepers, including Ratnadeep supermarket, Heritage supermarket, More supermarket, Spencers,
Big Bazaar, Vijetha supermarket, Mahaveer Electrical & Hardware, Bhagavati Paints & Hardware, Big C and Hyper Market.
“Central government has reduced GST on several products from 28 per cent to 18 per cent several months ago. But we have noticed that shopkeepers are still charging customers 28% GST,” assistant controller of the department Karunakar Reddy said.
Sanitary napkins, which are supposed to be sold with zero tax, are also being sold at 12 per cent tax by some traders. Central government has reduced GST rates on some products and totally removed it on a few products. After receiving several complaints from consumers shopping at malls and supermarkets on GST violations, the Legal Metrology department conducted the raids on Thursday.
Searches being conducted at a supermarket in the city on Thursday
