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| Sale syndrome: Customers duped with catchy discount tags | | VAT charged on MRP by branded outlets, action eludes....! | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 3: Discount and Sale syndrome is fast catching up in Jammu like in other parts of the country with season having begun to make clearance of the old stocks at all places from normal shopkeers to branded ones spruced up in the malls of the city. In the garb of sale, the consumers are being duped and cheated by even branded outlets who are charging VAT on MRP, with many naive and ignorant customers easily falling prey to catchy discount spree. The outcry far and wide with respect to so called international brand names like United Colours of Benetton and Numero Uno is getting loud by the day , thanks to inaction of the Concerned Department which only emboldens those in cheating spree.
It was only few days back when acting one of such complaints, Legal Meterology Department which is supposed to protect consumers interests and rights raided some branded business establishments in posh Gandhi Nagar area which were overcharging the gullible customers despite heavy discount and sale tags. The owners as per the provisions of the law were imposed fine and a strict warning also came through for all the outlets who are alluring customers with sale tags that they should not impose VAT on MRP or indulge in any other aberration of selling items. However, this has fallen flat as many such outlets without fear of any action are continuing this duping tactics, much to ignorance of customers . The irony remains that despite having issued warnings and strict instructions, the concerned officials are not monitoring or watching what is happening in the markets, malls in particular. One of the malls in the heart of the city too has a couple of such outlets which are making this aberration brazenly.
While most of the customers have paid and continue to pay on the lines they are asked to pay, i.e, paying 5 % VAT in addition to price at MRP, there are few who question it only to end up in arguments. Many complaints have been registered with consumer forums and the government Legal department under CAPD in which it is being asked that if the items are being sold on sale tag are the taxes in the form of extra VAT allowed...? As per the rules it is made to understand that the Maximum retail price means such price at which the product shall be sold in retail and such price shall include all taxes levied on the product. This only suggests that the VAT is calculated over and above the Sell Price, which in clear terms means that sale price should have VAT included in the MRP. But VAt is being charged in addition to what is printed as MRP. One wonders why the concerned officials are not taking cognizance and action against such outlets. Are they truly oblivious of what is happening or is there any connvinace between the outlets and officials at some level...? |
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