Law to check MRP breach

New Delhi, March 24

As many as 5,698 complaints were received by the government regarding sale of bottled water and other items above MRP, the Centre today said.

States had been informed on the issue, but their reply was awaited, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in reply to queries in the Rajya Sabha. He said the new consumer protection legislation would be taking care of all such cases of “cheating”.

Paswan said in such cases, action was taken by state governments. There was also a complaint against the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which took prompt action and barred such practice. Rajya Sabha members raised concern over “cheating” of consumers citing the prices of items like bottled water that changed with location, especially in malls and airports.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Congress member Rajeev Shukla said a bottle worth Rs 10 was sold for Rs 50 by airlines and the Aviation Ministry came under the Centre, seeking to know if any changes in existing laws were being planned.

Paswan said a draft Bill had earlier been sent to a parliamentary standing committee, which recommended a large number of changes — as many as 80 — following which the government decided to formulate a new Bill. The Bill will have the authority to take strict action against the violators and will apply to manufacturers, celebrities and retail sellers. — TNS