Now, MRP must on medical devices

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 7

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan today said that medical devices have been brought under the ambit of Packaged Commodities Rules.

This will make it obligatory for the display of retail sale of prices (MRPs) on the devices with regard to their sale. This will ensure uniformity in the quality of devices, their brand and prices. This had been a long-standing demand of consumers. He said that a committee has been instituted in the Consumer Affairs Ministry to look into complaints with regard to rates following the roll-out of GST.

He said the ministry is keeping a close watch on the prices of commodities that have undergone a change in the GST regime.

“On account of implementation of GST from July 1, there may be instances where the MRP of a pre-packaged commodity is required to be changed,” Paswan said.

In this context, the ministry has allowed manufacturers or packers or importers of pre-packaged commodities to declare the changed MRPs on the unsold stock prior to July 1, after inclusion of the increased amount of tax due to GST, if any, in addition to the existing MRP for three months July 1 to September 30.

“The declaration of the changed MRP shall be made by way of stamping or putting sticker or online printing,” Paswan added.