mumbai

Updated: Oct 18, 2016 00:30 IST

The Legal Metrology Organisation (LMO) has booked several retailers for overcharging consumers for milk, cold drink and bottled water during several drives.

The major outlets booked for dual Maximum Retail Price (MRP) under the Legal Metrology Act are Inox Lessor R-2 Mall, Nariman Point; Erros Theatre, Mumbai; PVR in Phoenix Mall Compound, Parel; Jaihind cinema, Chinchpokli; Orange Hotel Restaurant, Kandivali; Shivsagar Restaurant, Airport; Bakers Street (Life Bite Travel Food Pvt.Ltd.), Andheri; Milayam Agencies Pvt.Ltd, Airport; The Great Kabab Factory, Andheri; Inox Talkies, Ghatkopar (W); Neel Square Mall, Ghatkopar (E); and Carnival Company Pvt.Ltd, L.B.S.Marg in the recently conducted state-wide drive, said a release issued by the LMO.

The outlets have been mainly booked for dual charging of bottled mineral water, which includes Kinley that is charged at Rs 50 a litre, which was sold for Rs20 at a retail outlet outside the establishment. Some outlets sold 250ml Red Bull cans for Rs145 instead of the original MRP of Rs110.

Restaurants or shops that sell products at a higher price than their original MRP are doing it illegally, said the LMO that works under the food, civil supplies and consumer protection department of the state government. It has booked nearly 10 major establishments for dual charging (charging two different prices for one product) citing an order issued by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission that said, ”There cannot be two MRPs except in accordance with the Law” and asked the relevant authorities to take necessary action to protect the interest of the consumer.

Overcharging by retailers and the dual MRP has been consistently highlighted by Hindustan Times for over three years now.

“We had received several complaints from consumers on more than one MRP on the same packaged product with the same quantity, packed by the same packer in Maharashtra. Accordingly, we talked to the director of Legal Metrology, New Delhi, and learned about this order. The drive was conducted after that,” said Amitabh Gupta, controller of LMO.

A total of 134 establishments were booked for various violations. It also issued showcause notices to five manufacturing companies —Hindusthan Coca Cola Pvt Ltd, Pepsico India Holding Pvt Ltd, Red Bull India Pvt Ltd, Eureka Forbes Ltd and Pitels Aqua and Agro Foods — and asked them to file a reply within seven days, explaining why two different prices were charged for the same product.

Welcoming the move, consumer activist Anuradha Deshpande said, “Dual MRP on the same quality and quantity of product is indeed fleecing the consumers. Drinking water is a necessary product. Why should a consumer pay double the amount for that at any place?”

Box

Next time you are charged different MRP for snacks, bottled water or soft drinks register complain with legal metrology organization for overcharging as dual MRP for same quality and quantity of product is not allowed. If the seller insists on charging more than what is charged outside, insist on a bill which could be helpful in lodging an offence with the LMO.

Citing National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dated February 1, 2016 which says that, ‘there cannot be two MRP except in accordance with the Law’ and asked to take necessary action to protect the interest of the consumer.

Following, this legal metrology organization (LMO) under Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department of the state government booked nearly 10 city-based major establishments for dual charging.

To register the complained about dual MRP or over charging the complainant can call on (022-22886666) or E-mail: dclmms_complaints@yahoo.com; dyclmmumbai@yahoo.in and dyclmkonkan@yahoo.in

What is overcharging? The consumers is charged more than printed maximum retail price (MRP) this is offence and the retailer are prosecuted under Legal Metrology Act 2009 section 52 and packaged commodities Rules 2011, which has penalty (compounding fees) up to Rs2, 000. Only if the shopkeeper refuses to pay compounding fees he or she is prosecuted in the court, which attracts penalty up to Rs25, 000. However, the shop keepers are hardly prosecuted since they often agree to pay the penalty.

What is dual charging? Two different MRP is printed on the same quality and quantity of product by same manufacturer. This is normally observed on the packaged snacks, bottled water and soft drinks sold at multiplexes, restaurants in malls or airport.

This is also offence and errant manufacturer or retailer can be booked under legal metrology act and penalized up to Rs15000 to the retailers and up to Rs50,000 to the manufacturer.