Hindustan Unilever Ltd has slashed pricing on popular items such as Dove shampoo and Kissan Jam, beginning September 22. This follows the government’s directive to pass on the benefits of the GST cut. Manufacturers may modify the MRP on unsold goods until December 31, 2025.
With GST reforms taking effect on September 22, several popular consumer products, including Dove, shampoo, Kissan Jam, Horlicks, Lux, and Lifebuoy soaps manufactured by Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), would become more affordable. HUL has announced a big price drop. Following the Modi government’s directive to pass on GST cut benefits to customers, HUL published a newspaper advertisement announcing the rate cut.
Dove, shampoo, Kissan Jam, Horlicks, Lux, and Lifebuoy soaps will go cheaper.
The commercial states that the 340-ml Dove shampoo bottle will now cost ₹435 instead of ₹490. A bundle of four Lifebuoy soaps (75*4 gram) is now priced at ₹60, down from ₹68 before. A 200-gm jar of Horlicks with a price waiver of ₹20 will now be sold for ₹110 instead of ₹130.
The price of 200 gm of Kissan Jam has been reduced by ₹10 and now costs ₹80. According to government requirements, manufacturers must modify the maximum retail price (MRP) on unsold stock by December 31, 2025. This means that HUL’s new stock will have a revised MRP or that larger grammage packets will be shipped to markets.
The decision follows the government’s lates instruction, which requires producers to place at least two advertising regarding the revised rates in one or more publications. They must also notify dealers, state and national officials.
GST reforms
On September 3, the GST Council convened its 56th meeting, which was presided over by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During the meeting, the government declared that it will revise tax slabs and simplify the tax structure to a two-slab system of 5% and 18%, eliminating the previous 12% tax slab.
Several food goods, including UHT milk, paneer, khakhra, pizza bread, roti, and parathas, have been exempt from GST, however butter, ghee, cheese, condensed milk, jams, sauces, soups, pasta, namkeens, and confectionery items will now be taxed at 5%.
At the same time, a 40% increase on luxury and sin items such as pan masala, tobacco, aerated drinks, high-end automobiles, yachts, and private aircraft
Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi noted in a post on X, “As per the new GST rates, manufacturers, packers, and importers can revise the MRP on unsold stock until December 31, 2025, (or until stock lasts).”
