Do not pay more than MRP for packaged goods

The purpose of this post is to make you aware about the law relating to maximum retail price (MRP) on packaged goods.I had put in a RTI (Right to Information ) application to Controller of Legal Metrology,Maharashtra State and requested for the information relating to various laws regarding MRP violation cases we face in day to day’s life.

If anyone needs the original application which I made as well as the scanned copy of the reply I have received from Legal Metrology department,please email me on chinmay@gavankars.com.

1.It has been observed by many of us that many small shops in our locality always charge more money for essential things like milk, mineral water than the printed MRP. If you try to argue with them, then they say that extra one rupee or so is for “cooling charges” for milk or water as the case may be.

Friends, this is fraud and a big offence under the weights and measures law. Charging more than MRP on item like packaged drinking water is an offence under rule 23 (2) of the standards of weights and measures (Packaged Commodities )Rules-1977.The maximum punishment for the same is fine which may extend to Rs 2000 per responsible person.

So next time your local kirana shop guy asks you one rupee more for a milk bag than printed MRP,Tell him that in the greed of earning that one rupee extra,he may face punishment of Rs 2000!!!

2.Also one more problem consumers face is in multiplexes,malls and at places like airports.Typically you will find shops in these places selling items like soft drinks,water,biscuits etc at huge premium than printed MRP.Some smart shops paste new MRP sticker on printed price to show that they are selling at MRP only.

This is again an offence.A manufacturer can print different MRP for certain stock to be sold through select channels like airports and if you observe closely,such items are printed with MRP more than normal but with a clear message that “for retail through select channels only”.

To make my point clear,for example:Parle Agro as manufacturer of Bisleri can produce two different batches of mineral water bottles:A and B

• Batch A has say 1000 bottles with printed MRP Rs 15 and are sent to local shops/retail stores
• Batch B has say 1000 bottles with printed MRP of Rs 40 and a message “for retail through select channels only”

Now on airport/multiplex, it is perfectly legal to sell a bottle from above batch B at Rs 40 as the taxes have been paid to government on that Rs 40.However the same shop can not sell a bottle from Batch A at Rs 40 ….He has to sell specific bottles MADE FOR THAT CHANNEL.

So friends,please be alert consumer and do not pay more than MRP.In case you find anyone charging more that MRP,please call immediately office of the controller of legal metrology in Maharashtra on 022-22886666.Your complaint will be taken down and you will receive a complaint number for further reference.It works and I have been doing that till date.I always get a complete follow up from that office and actions have been taken on shop owners.