Cinema halls and multiplexes to be charged for overpriced eatables: Delhi Govt.
March 10, 2017Delhi Government has initiated a major clampdown on overcharging of packaged eatables at cinema halls and multiplexes.
The weights and measures department carried out surprise inspections at 14 such cinema halls and multiplexes and took immediate action in 12 cases wherein exorbitant prices were being charged for the products that was in violation to the packaged commodity rules.
This consumers' rights issue was raised in the assembly session on earlier this week after which inspections were ordered. Many MLAs had pointed out that cinema halls and multiplexes were charging customers in excess of the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on various packaged products such as biscuits, popcorn, aerated bottled water, chips and snacks.
A retailer can be prosecuted under Section 52 of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011, which has a penalty (compounding fees) of up to Rs 2,000. If the offender refuses to pay compounding fees, he is prosecuted in court, which attracts a penalty of up to Rs 25,000.
Inspections were also carried out at restaurants and eateries wherein offenders were booked for "dual MRP" on water bottles and soft drinks. Two restro-bars were penalised for overcharging on water bottles.
In February, the weights and measures department carried out 321 inspections and booked 223 units found violating the packaged commodity rules.
The weights and measures department carried out surprise inspections at 14 such cinema halls and multiplexes and took immediate action in 12 cases wherein exorbitant prices were being charged for the products that was in violation to the packaged commodity rules.
This consumers' rights issue was raised in the assembly session on earlier this week after which inspections were ordered. Many MLAs had pointed out that cinema halls and multiplexes were charging customers in excess of the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on various packaged products such as biscuits, popcorn, aerated bottled water, chips and snacks.
A retailer can be prosecuted under Section 52 of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011, which has a penalty (compounding fees) of up to Rs 2,000. If the offender refuses to pay compounding fees, he is prosecuted in court, which attracts a penalty of up to Rs 25,000.
Inspections were also carried out at restaurants and eateries wherein offenders were booked for "dual MRP" on water bottles and soft drinks. Two restro-bars were penalised for overcharging on water bottles.
In February, the weights and measures department carried out 321 inspections and booked 223 units found violating the packaged commodity rules.
OUR TAKE
The steps taken by the government were much required, as this malpractice of over pricing goods in multiplexes and cinema halls was a matter of concern for the common man. Various complaints regarding this issue had been time and again raised by people in the consumer courts but nothing concrete had surfaced from them until now. The state governments of various other states should also initiate such inspections to stop this malpractice of overpricing across the nation.
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