Outside Food Allowed at Multiplexes in Andhra Pradesh, Consumer Forum Orders to Lift Ban on Outside Eatables in Theatres
The Forum Bench also asked companies to pay a combined fine of Rs 5,000 to all complainants.
Vijayawada, Aug 11: In a significant relief to movie-goers, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ordered owners of multiplexes and cinema halls to allow customers to carry food and water from outside to theatres across Andhra Pradesh. Judge R Madhava Rao directed the state’s Controller of Legal Metrology to enforce the orders.
While allowing outside food in cinema halls, the Forum Bench also imposed a combined fine of Rs 5 lakh each in five cases payable to Consumers Welfare Fund on three different packaged drinking water and soft drinks companies for selling their products with 'dual MRP'. The Forum Bench also asked companies to pay a combined fine of Rs 5,000 to all complainants. (ALSO READ: Outside Food Allowed at Multiplexes, Action To Be Taken If Movie-Goers Denied Outside Eatables In Theatres, Says Maharashtra Minister)
The verdict came after five activists and city’s Consumer Guidance Society filed a similar complaint in May 2017 against dual MRP. The Forum Bench also asked multiplex to return Rs 130 with an interest of 9 per cent to the complainant, reports The Hindu. Judge Rao wrote the verdict in Telugu for the first time in the history of the consumer forum. (ALSO READ: Supreme Court Stays J&K High Court Order Allowing Outside Eatables in Theatres)
The Forum Bench asked multiplex owners to respect 'right to choose' of consumers and sell all products at the same or slightly enhanced price as in the open market. It gave two months time all the respondents to implement all the orders.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2018 01:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).