(1)

Where the Standing Committee is satisfied that there is a prima facie evidence to show that the supplier has not passed on the benefit of reduction in the rate of tax on the supply of goods or services or the benefit of input tax credit to the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices, it shall refer the matter to the [Director General of Anti-profiteering] [Substituted 'Director General of Safeguards' by Notification No. G.S.R. 611(E), dated 6.7.2018 (w.e.f. 19.6.2017).] for a detailed investigation.

(2)

The [Director General of Anti-profiteering] [Substituted 'Director General of Safeguards' by Notification No. G.S.R. 611(E), dated 6.7.2018 (w.e.f. 19.6.2017).] shall conduct investigation and collect evidence necessary to determine whether the benefit of reduction in the rate of tax on any supply of goods or services or the benefit of input tax credit has been passed on to the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices.

(3)

The [Director General of Anti-profiteering] [Substituted 'Director General of Safeguards' by Notification No. G.S.R. 611(E), dated 6.7.2018 (w.e.f. 19.6.2017).] shall, before initiation of the investigation, issue a notice to the interested parties containing, inter alia, information on the following, namely:-

(a) the description of the goods or services in respect of which the proceedings have been initiated;

(b) summary of the statement of facts on which the allegations are based; and

(c) the time limit allowed to the interested parties and other persons who may have information related to the proceedings for furnishing their reply.

(4)

The [Director General of Anti-profiteering] [Substituted 'Director General of Safeguards' by Notification No. G.S.R. 611(E), dated 6.7.2018 (w.e.f. 19.6.2017).] may also issue notices to such other persons as deemed fit for a fair enquiry into the matter.

(5)

The [Director General of Anti-profiteering] [Substituted 'Director General of Safeguards' by Notification No. G.S.R. 611(E), dated 6.7.2018 (w.e.f. 19.6.2017).] shall make available the evidence presented to it by one interested party to the other interested parties, participating in the proceedings.

(6)

The [Director General of Anti-profiteering] [Substituted 'Director General of Safeguards' by Notification No. G.S.R. 611(E), dated 6.7.2018 (w.e.f. 19.6.2017).] shall complete the investigation within a period of [six] [Substituted 'three' by Notification No. G.S.R. 457(E), dated 28.6.2019.] months of the receipt of the reference from the Standing Committee or within such extended period not exceeding a further period of three months for reasons to be recorded in writing [as may be allowed by the Authority] [Substituted 'as allowed by the Standing Committee' by Notification No. G.S.R. 266(E), dated 23.3.2018 (w.e.f.19.6.2017).] and, upon completion of the investigation, furnish to the Authority, a report of its findings along with the relevant records.