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.
Labels: consumer rights
posted by Chinmay Gavankar @ 10:27 PM
15 Comments:
It means u purchase the goods at MRP?
this post is very informative.
Hi I am from Pune. Do you mean that Domino's or Pizza-huts of the world in India that sell softdrinks at ~Rs30 for a pet bottle that we get for Rs20 is illegal if its not printed 'for retail through select channels only'? So can I complain against the outlet at the the no you have mentioned?
Please reply.
Another question-
Liquor that is sold at wine or beer shops is always charged at a premium of Rs5-Rs10 per can/tin and more than Rs.20 per bottle. Can we complain against that too?
In hotel/bars they always charge more if we ask for say beer (which is served in glasses but the bottle is the same that we get in wine shops) Any idea on this matter.
Looking forward to your response. Thanks for this informative post.
@Harish
1. Restaurants do not fall in the category of "select channels". There are completely separate and do not fall under the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976. So remember that restaurants can charge you whatever they want, because of the service aspect. See http://blog.zehawk.in/2007/03/hotels-can-charge-extra-for-bottled.html
HOWEVER, if they are delivering the bottle to your house, and you are being charged extra, PERHAPS you have a case. I say "perhaps" because the restaurant may well argue that there is a service aspect in packaging and delivery. Still, it worth pursuing.
2. Definitely you can complain against liquor that is overpriced at retail stores. See http://blog.zehawk.in/2009/06/liquor-sold-above-mrp-5.html, a matter which I'm shortly taking to court.
3. Answered by #1.
You could also see http://blog.zehawk.in/2007/11/charging-over-mrp-at-airports-12.html
Hey, thanks a lot for the detailed reply.
Regards,
Harish
I guess sale through select channels is a white collared loot and needs to be stopped outright. We need to find a way out and stop this differential pricing concept.
Further, hotel owners have cleverly changed the menu name. from merely stating coldrinks or water. The write Coldrink with service or water with service to escape from the clutches of law.
Hi,
the number mentioned in your post, is never reachable!! nobody receives the calls?? Is there any other number we can call on..where i can be heard?
Hi, what is the number to give similar complaint in Karntaka? particularly Belgaum
what about local shops charging you a rupee more than the MRP for recharge vouchers??
What should we do if shopkeepers want more than MRP........
Give me answer , i am common man, and i am unemploye . Who help me for thi toppic sujjest me.
Modi sarkar is mrp ko lekar kuch help nhi kr skti kyA. Kyoki bhrastachaar to ankho ke samne h uske liye swiss bank jane ki jarurat nhi.....
Modi sarkar is mrp ko lekar kuch help nhi kr skti kyA. Kyoki bhrastachaar to ankho ke samne h uske liye swiss bank jane ki jarurat nhi.....
I tried to call on no 022 22886666 but no body receives my call where to write written complaint. For taking more money than mrp.
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