New Delhi, Oct 3: The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has received thousands of complaints regarding GST 2.0 implementation by retailers and e-commerce platforms. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the highest number of grievances relate to milk prices, followed by electronics, LPG, and petrol.

Many consumers believed that after the GST reform, milk companies should reduce fresh milk prices. However, companies continued charging pre-reform rates. On review, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) clarified that fresh milk was already exempt from GST and the new reform has also exempted UHT milk.

A significant share of complaints also came from buyers of electronics on e-commerce websites. Consumers claimed that items like laptops, refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs were being billed at old GST rates, with no tax benefits passed on. CCPA clarified that TVs, monitors, ACs, and dishwashers had their GST reduced from 28% to 18%, while goods like laptops and refrigerators were already at 18%.

Another set of grievances was about domestic LPG cylinders. Consumers expected lower prices, but CCPA confirmed that GST on LPG remains at 5% with no change.

Similarly, complaints about petrol prices were also recorded. The ministry clarified that petrol is outside GST coverage, so prices remain unaffected.

Since the rollout of Next-Generation GST Reforms 2025, the NCH has received 3,981 GST-related complaints—31% queries and 69% grievances. Out of these, 1,992 cases were forwarded to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and 761 complaints were sent to e-commerce companies in real-time.

The government highlighted that these complaints reflect growing awareness and consumer participation in the grievance redressal system, showing trust in institutional mechanisms.