Same MRP across theatres from August 1

Consumers can heave a sigh of relief. From August 1, you will be able to buy all packed items at the same MRP inside malls, multiplexes and airports across the country. So, the cost of a 300 ml soft drink with an MRP of Rs 30 will be the same in your neighbourhood grocery store, supermarket, airport, multiplex and cinema halls from August 1. This will be possible as The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2017 will come into effect from August 1. The rider is that one MRP will be applicable for packaged commodities items of the same brand and same quantity. The manufacturers and packers will have to do away with the policy of dual MRP for the same brand and quantity.

Meanwhile, in a major relief for movie-goers, the state has allowed public to take food inside cinema halls, multiplexes and malls from August 1. Maharashtra, minister of state for Food and Civil Supplies Ravindra Chavan on Friday made it clear on the floor of the house that people would be allowed to carry eatables inside multiplexes and malls. The state government clarified that eatables and cold drinks would be sold at MRP and the price would be uniform in all the multiplexes and malls. However, the government has not made its stand clear on loose items like vada, samosa, sandwich and popcorn.

An officer from the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs said that the 'Dual MRP' issue was taken up by states and consumer organisations. "The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in February 1, 2016 had ruled that there cannot be two MRPs, except in accordance with the law. Subsequently, the Centre on June 23, 2017 amended The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 effectively banning dual MRP.

Following the representations from various stakeholders, Centre deferred twice the implementation of these rules up to July 31, 2018," the officer said.

The rule 18 which was incorporated in the amendment states: "Unless otherwise specifically provided under any other law, no manufacturer or packer or importer shall declare different maximum retail prices on an identical pre-packaged commodity by adopting restrictive trade practices or unfair trade practices as defined under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986)."

Mumbai-based Mumbai Grahak Panchayat chairman Shirish Deshpande said that from August 1 that there shall be no dual pricing for the same product. "Dual MRP was a blatant unfair trade practice as defined in the Consumer Protection Act. Anymore adoption of such practice in future will hopefully meet with direct penal action by the law enforcement authorities."

The officer from the ministry said that after August 1, states can take the steps to enforce the act. "States have been told to provide an opportunity to the manufacturers/packers to update their label declarations. It is expected that in the initial period there won't be any prosecution for the shortcomings in respect of the font size, labelling if it is not misleading the consumers,"' the officer said.

(With inputs from Shailendra Paranjape)

Fair Price  

• MRP of a 300 ml soft drink will be same in grocery stores, supermarkets, airports, multiplexes and theatres.
• It will be applicable for packaged items of the same brand and same quantity.
• From Aug 1, patrons can bring their own food to cinema halls, multiplexes and malls.