Multiplexes, hotels charge above MRP for water bottles

Consumers told to complain against dual pricing

A day after shops in malls across the city were raided by officials of the Legal Metrology Department, multiplexes continued to sell water at exorbitant rates above MRP.

While some stalls in a few multiplexes did sell at MRP, many continued to overcharge the customers. Half a litre of bottled water costs Rs 10 outside and the same is sold at Rs 40 in multiplexes. According to Selvam J, manager, Inox Lido Mall, “The prices are decided by the companies manufacturing water, specially for multiplexes and other establishments. Hence, there is nothing much we can do.” 

An owner of a food joint at Garuda Mall said: “We have started selling bottled water at MRP from April. Earlier, we were selling at a higher price.”

“The four- and five-star hotels often charge three to four times higher than the actual price. A bottle of water costing Rs 20 is sold at Rs 60 to Rs 80 in these hotels. Even the roadside food joints charge a rupee or two extra for providing chilled water bottles. When asked why they charged extra for chilled bottles, they replied that this included freezing charges,” said Ravi Sudarsanan, an entrepreneur.

“I don’t buy water from multiplexes when I go to watch a film. These places do not even allow you to carry your own water bottle,” said Satya Dixit, a software professional.

Harsh Gupta, principal secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Department, said they had been trying to enforce Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977, on essential commodities. “However, the law is not clear on the dual pricing applied by these shops on such products and this prevents us from taking action. Also, we need the support of the consumers to take action. Until consumers file a case against dual pricing under the Consumer Protection Act, there is not much we can do,” the officer said.

He said that the next step would be to create more awareness about the Act and convince consumers to come forward to file cases against such establishments that charge above the MRP. The raids were meant to create awareness on overpricing of water by shops and hotels,” said Gupta.
DH News Service