GST Anti-Profiteering Authority Functions Transfer Explained

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India introduced the National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA). The primary objective of the NAA was to ensure that the benefits of reduction in GST rates or input tax credit were passed on to consumers through lower prices. It acted as a mechanism to prevent unfair profiteering by businesses.

However, the government decided to streamline certain functions and transfer the responsibilities associated with anti-profiteering. Since December 2022, the functions previously handled by the National Anti-Profiteering Authority have been transferred to a different body.

NAA Functions Transferred to Competition Commission

Following the decision to discontinue the National Anti-Profiteering Authority, its functions related to anti-profiteering have been transferred to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). This significant shift aims to consolidate regulatory oversight and leverage the existing expertise of the CCI in matters of fair market practices.

Analysis of Options

• Competition Commission: This is the body to which the functions of the National Anti-Profiteering Authority were transferred in December 2022. The CCI is tasked with promoting competition and preventing activities that hamper fair competition in the market.
• Directorate General of Trade Remedies: This body primarily deals with anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures concerning imports, not domestic anti-profiteering under GST.
• NITI Aayog: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the government's policy think tank and does not handle specific tax-related enforcement functions like anti-profiteering.
• Reserve Bank of India: The Reserve Bank of India is India's central bank, responsible for monetary policy, banking regulation, and currency management. It is not involved in GST anti-profiteering matters.

Therefore, the Competition Commission is the correct authority that assumed the functions of the National Anti-Profiteering Authority.