Nearly 50 days after the rollout of GST 2.0, most household kitchen budgets remain unaffected, with residents reporting little to no reduction in monthly grocery expenses. While the new tax regime was expected to lower consumer prices, shopkeepers and customers across the city say that price changes have been minimal and largely limited to select items.
Middle-Class Families See No Relief
For many middle-class families, grocery bills remain unchanged despite revised GST rates.
A bank employee said her family of five has seen no change in monthly grocery spending, which still stands at Rs 14,500, nearly the same as before GST 2.0.
"Rice and pulses are priced the same and even cooking oil has gone up from Rs 150 to Rs 168 per litre," she said.
A retired government officer's wife shared that everyday kitchen essentials remain steady in price.
"A litre of Amul Taaza milk still costs Rs 58 and a 5 kg packet of atta is Rs 230, unchanged from earlier. Even if there's some overall reduction, it hardly saves us more than Rs 300-400 a month," she said.
Restaurants and Daily Eaters Unaffected
Consumers who dine out frequently are also seeing no difference in their monthly food bills.
"Restaurateurs have simply increased base prices instead of passing GST benefits to customers," said one regular diner, adding that his monthly expenses at hotels remain unchanged.
Minor Price Drops in Select Goods
According to local grocery and Kirana shop owners, only marginal reductions have been seen in certain FMCG and personal care products.
However, shopkeepers admit these changes don't significantly impact overall grocery budgets.
"The old stock is still being sold. We'll know the real effect of GST 2.0 only once new stock comes in," said another Kirana store owner.
GST 2.0 Impact Yet to Reach Consumers
Despite the government's projection that GST 2.0 would lower consumer costs and simplify compliance, on-ground realities tell a different story. Retailers say that supply chain costs and old stock pricing have limited the immediate pass-through of benefits.
For now, household budgets continue to feel the pinch, with families waiting to see if the new tax regime will deliver tangible relief in the coming months.
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