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2022 (5) TMI 737 - NAPA - GSTProfiteering - supply of "ECLAT SERUM" - allegation is that Respondent had not passed on the benefit of reduction in the GST rate by the way of commensurate reduction in prices - violation of section 171(1) of CGST Act - HELD THAT:- It is also observed from the record that the Respondent is engaged in selling of medicines from his retail stores having GSTIN 27BDVPM0061N1ZZ. It is also revealed from the plain reading of Section 171 (1) supra that it deals with two situations one relating to the passing on the benefit of reduction in the rate of tax and the second about the passing on the benefit of the ITC - On the issue of reduction in the tax rate, it is apparent from the record that there has been a reduction in the rate of tax from 28% to 18% w.e.f. 15.11.2017, on "the subject goods" being supplied by the Respondent, vide Notification No. 41/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 14.11.2017. Therefore, the Respondent is liable to pass on the benefit of tax reduction to his customers in terms of Section 171 (1) of the above Act. It is also apparent that the DGAP has carried out the present investigation w.e.f. 15.11.2017 to 30.09.2019 - it is evident that, the Respondent did not reduce the selling price of the products mentioned above when the GST rate was reduced from 28% to 18% w.e.f. 15.11.2017 and hence, the benefit of reduction in GST rate was not passed on to the recipients by way of commensurate reduction in the prices, in terms of Section 171 of the CGST Act, 2017 and therefore, he has contravened the provisions of Section 171 of the CGST Act, 2017. It is established that the Respondent has acted in contravention of the provisions of Section 171 of the CGST Act, 2017, and has not passed on the benefit of reduction in the rate of tax to his recipients by commensurate reduction in the prices. Accordingly, the profiteered amount is determined as Rs. 1,54,138/- as per the provisions of Rule 133 (1) of the CGST Rules 2017. The Respondent is therefore directed to reduce the prices of his products as per the provisions of Rule 133 (3) (a) of the CGST Rules, 2017, keeping in view the reduction in the rate of tax so that the benefit is passed on to the recipients. Penalty - HELD THAT:- It is clear that the Respondent has contravened the provisions of Section 171 (1) of the CGST Act, 2017. However, since, the penalty prescribed under Section 171 (3A) of the CGST Act, 2017 for violation of the above provisions has come in to force w.e.f. 01.01.2020 and the infringement pertains to the period from 01.01.2019 to 30.09.2019 and the Respondent has also deposited the profiteered amount alongwith the interest, therefore, no penalty is proposed to be imposed on the Respondent. Application disposed off.
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