GST transition pangs: Confusing times ahead for retailers, consumers

Thousands of retailers, manufacturers have no idea how they will bill customers from July 1

All that Samaresh Majumdar, owner of a grocery store in the upscale South Delhi neighbourhood of Chittaranjan Park, knows about the goods and services tax (GST) is based on news reports and rumours that are afloat among his fellow shopkeepers. He knows that prices of different items are set to change. But he still has no idea how he will bill his customers on July 1 or how much he will charge them for various items.

Majumdar is not alone. There are thousands of retailers, manufacturers and others like him across the country. 

Manufacturers are in the process of figuring