Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 26
In a step towards providing relief to residents, the District Consumer Protection Council (DCPC) has called a meeting of cinema owners in Chandigarh to discuss the exorbitant prices of eatables and beverages inside cinema halls and prohibition of outside food in the halls.
Sources said notices had been issued to owners of all cinema halls and multiplexes asking them to attend the meeting on April 30.
The owners have been informed that the meeting of the DCPC will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.
The cinema owners have been called in view of the observation of the Bombay High Court that movie-goers cannot be prohibited from bringing their own food and water bottles inside theatres and multiplexes, especially in the light of the fact that vendors sell these at sky-high prices.
The observation of the High Court came on a public interest litigation challenging the ban on packed food inside cinema halls, especially multiplexes. The issue was discussed at the last meeting of the DCPC in which members were of the view that prohibition to carry water and food violated the fundamental right to life of medically venerable persons and senior citizens.