<h1>Finance Ministry Warns Companies on Arbitrary Price Hikes with GST; Anti-Profiteering Rules to Ensure Consumer Benefits.</h1> The finance ministry has cautioned companies against arbitrarily increasing prices with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1. The government may use the anti-profiteering clause to ensure companies pass on any tax reduction benefits to consumers. Although the anti-profiteering authority is not yet established, price changes will be scrutinized. The GST Council has set tax rates at 5, 12, 18, and 28 percent, and service providers will benefit from input tax credits, potentially reducing the effective tax rate. The government expects cooperation from companies to avoid using regulatory measures.