The all-inclusive Maximum Retail Price, in some cases, could still not be all inclusive after all. After many reported cases of violation of product pricing rules in Bangalore, officials in the Legal Metrology Department are urging more customers to avail the Department’s services to track defaulting dealers.

A reader recently brought to the notice of Deccan Herald one case of pricing violation. The reader, who had bought tinned oil from a store in Jayanagar, ended up paying Rs 146 (including Rs 46 as VAT) more than the MRP mentioned on the product seal. An official in the Legal Metrology Department confirmed that it was a case of pricing violation. He added that the Department had a dedicated division to address complaints on pricing violations and it also undertook drives to track down erring dealers.

An official in the State Commercial Taxes Department pointed out the with “most of the products”, the prices were inclusive of VAT. “However, we are not concerned with the MRP violations and only deal with the VAT component. In accordance with the price the customer has paid for the product, the shopkeeper has to pay an amount as VAT,” the official said.

Tracking violators
While there are shopkeepers who continue to get away with similar violations, either by issuing vague bills or by adding an “additional” VAT component to the MRP, the Legal Metrology Department officials pointed out that the Department had a cell dealing with such complaints. Customers, who come across pricing violations in the City, can call 22269148/ 22207750.