Officials of the Telangana Legal Metrology Department on Thursday began a crackdown on theatres and multiplexes in Hyderabad, who were charging over the MRP, despite a clear list of guidelines being issues.
"Seven teams headed by Assistant Controllers Bhaskar Reddy, Jaganmohan Reddy, Vijayasarathi, Nirmal Kumar, Rajeshwar, Shivanand, with 30 members participated in the raids. On Thursday, special checks were conducted at 20 multiplexes and 18 multiplexes were found to be violating the rules. 54 cases were booked against them," a press release stated.
Officials said that two cases were registered in Prasads Imax while six cases were registered in GVK one in Banjara Hills. Three cases were also registered in PVR-Icon situated in Madhapur. Four cases were registered against Cinepolis in Malkajgiri while another three cases were registered in Asian Radhika, near ECIL.
As per the new rules released by the department last week, the sale of food items that are sold loose in containers must be printed with weight, quantity, manufacturing date, expiry and MRP on them.
The establishments must set up a board with details of weight, quantity and rates which should be displayed, clearly and be visibly to all.
Owners also must ensure that any changes in weight, quantity or rate should be immediately changed. To prevent any form of monopoly by the establishments, the department has instructed them to sell different brands of products as per the guidelines.
The foundation for the guidelines has been set in accordance with the Legal Metrology Department act which mandates manufacturers to print their product name, address, manufacturing date, expiry date, weight and MRP with customer care number on the packaged item. This includes water bottles, cool drinks and other food items.
“The first violation will result in a booking of case and Rs 25,000 penalty, the second violation this fine would go up to Rs 50,000 and if the offense is repeated for the third time the fine would be Rs 1 lakh and also imprisonment ranging from 6 months to one year," Akun Sabharwal Controller for Legal Metrology Department, had told reporters earlier.
Officials also said that consumers can register their complaints at a toll-free number, 180042500333 or on WhatsApp number 7330774444.