Visakhapatnam: Consumers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are still paying between Rs 40 and Rs 60 for a one-litre bottle of water at places such as airports, malls and multiplexes, even though the same bottle is available for Rs 20 in a regular market. State authorities are yet to implement directives issued by the Centre, to prohibit the sale of packaged items at different MRPs.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs had issued an advisory last December, directing states to ensure that consumers were not forced to pay higher prices for packaged items such as water, snacks and other beverages at airports, malls, multiplexes and stadiums. As per the Packaged Commodity Rules 2011 and the Legal Metrology Act of 2009, packaged items cannot have two MRPs within a state. According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, in case a packaged item has more than one MRP, the lowest price is to be treated as its actual price.
Maharashtra and Rajasthan were among the first states to respond to the order. They have already prohibited the sale of packaged goods at two MRPs, and they have also conducted raids on manufacturing companies and retailers, to ensure compliance. However, no such steps have been taken in AP and Telangana. Consumers are helpless because as of now they can only move the consumer forum if they are charged more than the MRP, but there are no provisions against dual MRPs in the state.
T. Hajivali, the Assistant Controller of Legal Metrology (Vizag), said, “We have not received any notification from higher authorities with reference to the prohibition of dual MRPs. There is also some ambiguity in the dual MRP rule, which we have to sort out before implementation. Only two states, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, have implemented the rule so far.” Vikas Pandey, president of the Upbhokta Adhikar Sangathan of Andhra Pradesh, said, “The issue is really tricky. The government is asking for the practice to be stopped; but on the other hand, it is collecting tax on the packaged items that are sold at higher MRPs at airports, multiplexes and malls. So manufacturer and retailers are not at fault. But when we sought an explanation from multiplexes, asking them on what basis were they selling items at different MRPs, they didn’t have an answer. We will give submit a memorandum to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and intensify our campaign in Andhra Pradesh, so that dual-MRP practices are checked at the earliest.”
Consumers don’t get info:
Consumers in Andhra Pradesh have been arguing with retailers at multiplexes, in the hope that the prohibition of dual MRPs, which has been implemented in some states, is applicable in AP too. What’s worse is that the helpline number that is displayed on the Andhra Pradesh Legal Metrology Depart-ment’s website, is invalid; and so, consumers are unable to get any information about the status of implementation in the state
Senior advocate and president of the Forum of Legal Professionals, Kuppili Muralidhar, said, “As per the rule, manufacturers cannot devise two MRPs for packaged items. Moreover, multiplexes do not allow movie-goers to carry anything from outside, forcing them to buy food from their counters only.” He added that the State Government should prohibit dual-MRP practices in the interest of consumers, and it should also clear the air regarding the matter.
