Intention is right, but implementation holds the key

The proposal to ban the sale of all packed eatables in cinema hall and multiplexes beyond the MRP is a welcome step. The dispensation needs to ensure that cinema hall/multiplex owners display their rates as agreed upon between them and the dispensation. They had been fleecing customers for a pretty long time now without any fear of law. Not only a cup of tea, coffee and popcorn, combos were also costly,  leaving customers with no choice. The Administration has done well by taming unscrupulous owners. The leeway given to children, elderly and patients to carry eatables with them is a laudable step.   

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Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

Cinema a costly affair 

Surely, cinema halls and multiplexes are selling cold drinks, popcorn and other junk food at 200 per cent more than the market price. This really pinches and irritates the cinema-goers, who shell out a minimum of Rs 500 per couple on these items. A bottle of cold drink, which costs only Rs 30 in the open market, is sold for Rs 100 in cinema halls. Not only elderly and children, all viewers should be allowed to take their homemade eatables inside cinema halls. This will be a great relief to cinema-goers.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

Report discrepancy immediately   

The sale of food packets with the MRP printed on these should be allowed inside cinema halls. For other items, source counters should have the rate list displayed on boards, clearly visible to the public. They should issue cash slips, which can be checked. Most importantly, the public should check if they are charged fairly. Any discrepancy found should be reported to the authority concerned. These matters should be dealt with strictly. 

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

Act against guilty

It is up to government officials such as food inspectors to check the prices and quality of food being sold in multiplexes and cinemas. If found guilty, the licence of the shop should be canceled. The elderly, patients and children should be allowed to take their eatables inside. People should also be aware of price of the food being sold at cinema halls and multiplexes. A helpline should also be provided to deal with such cases. 

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

Iron out differences with owners

Outsourcing is the root cause of high rates charged on eatables in cinemas. The order of the Chandigarh Administration to ensure that food items are sold at the MRP is commendable. However, a further discussions with cinema owners is desirable. The implementation of the order, its viability and the fixing of uniform rates for non-MRP items should be discussed. The authorities need to form special teams to check the violation or for quality control. 

Sardul Singh Dhawan, Chandigarh

Allow all to carry food inside cinemas

The agreement between the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, and owners of multiplexes and cinema houses for not selling packed eatables above the MRP is a welcome step. But, allowing only the elderly, children and patients to carry eatables inside is vague and unrealistic. Everybody should be allowed to carry eatables inside cinema halls or multiplexes as is the practice in Mumbai and many other places in India.

Renu Rajinder Pal Singh, Chandigarh

Give discount on food items

The agreement between the UT Administration and representatives of multiplexes and cinema halls, agreeing not to sell packed eatables above the MRP, is commendable. It will be a win-win situation if the multiplexes offer food items on discount. This would boost their sale and discourage people from bringing eatables from home. 

RPS Chopra, Mani Majra

Frame policy

A firm policy should be framed to check the unfair trade practice adopted by cinema halls and multiplexes. They compel the public to buy food products at higher prices. A strict rule should be passed to sell these at regular prices. The authorities must be aware of this situation and should not let the customers be exploited. 

Priya Darsh Growar, Mohali

Be strict with violators

The Chandigarh Administration should not allow the sale of packed eatables above the MRP inside multiplexes and cinema halls. All shops inside multiplexes and cinema halls are getting these food items at lower rates. The authorities should either control prices of packed eatables or shut the shops found violating the norms. It is the moral duty of the Chandigarh Administration to save the public from this open loot. Besides, the authorities should allow all people to take their packed food as well as snacks inside cinema halls. Shopkeepers should also maintain the quality of food items and cleanliness.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Make policy for eateries 

The Administration should not allow people to bring food from home. Rather, discount should be provided to cinema-goers. The Administration should immediately frame a policy for eateries in multiplexes besides ensuring quality products. 

Sukhpal Singh, Chandigarh

Provide cheap restaurant

Like the Jan Aushadi Bhandar, let there be a Jan Suvidha Restaurant outside the entrance to a cinema hall. All packed items, including cold drinks, should be allowed at the MRP only. For others, some cost analysis can be done jointly by the restaurant owner, multiplex owner and a representative of the Ministry of Food and Supplies. Prices fixed for food items should be realistic, ensuring a reasonable amount of profitability.

Tejinder Singh Kalra, Mohali

Kudos to Administration

Kudos to the city Deputy  Commissioner (DC) for such an order. Cinema hall owners have been fleecing customers, taking advantage of their helplessness, for long. Though these owners have given their consent to the DC, the effect on the ground will be felt only after strict implementation of the agreed terms.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Provide packed items 

I am of the view that it is a very good decision that packed eatables will not be sold beyond the MRP. More commendable decision is that the elderly, children and patients can take their food  inside. I would further suggest that food items must be packed.  Further, it is also advisable that all restaurants and eateries in the city display their menu and rate card at the entry gate. 

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

Constitute panel to monitor prices

The decision agreed upon by the Deputy Commissioner and cinema or multiplex owners should be duly notified. A monitoring authority, comprising government officlas, consumers and epresentatives of social welfare organisations, should be constituted to see whether the decision is being implemented in the letter and spirit. It should be empowered to take strict action against the violators.

AS Ahuja, Chandigarh

Put complaint boxes at cinema halls

The move by the Administration aimed at regulating exorbitant rates of eatables and beverages inside cinema halls and multiplex. At present, with no check, vendors are allowed to sell food prices at sky-high price. If all goes well, cinema-goers will get eatables at lower rates. Elderly and children will be allowed to take food items inside. To check the violation of the orders, I feel there should be a regulatory body. A complaint box should be kept at cinema halls and multiplexes to get feedback from cinema-goers.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

People’s response holds the key 

Why multiplexes and cinema halls keep charging higher prices and people continue accepting these? Do multiplexes buy food items at higher prices from the market? Moreover, how can they encroach upon the fundamental right of citizens of bringing eatables from home/outside? The quality of food at multiplexes is often inferior despite high prices. Food items should rather be complimentary. A check by the government and the behaviour of cinema-goers can contain this practice. 

MPS Chadha, Mohali

Raise voice against corrupt practice

It is a fact that the maximum retail price includes the GST and if the seller is charging more than the MRP, it amounts to corruption. Don’t sit back and show negligent attitude if this has happened with you. Raise a voice against it. Charging more than the MRP is an offence under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. The victim should lodge a complaint with the police and should not solve the case outside the court. There is a need to set an example. It is a fact that they are adding to corruption. The harassment can be stopped with stringent laws and timely action by the authorities.

Jaspreet Singh, Patiala

No meaning if order lacks implementation

The Chandigarh administration has asked cinemas and multiplexes not to charge for food items above the MRP. It has no meaning as almost all items, including cold drinks and popcorn, are sold loose, having no MRP. So, only drinking water will be sold on the MRP. Shop owners display menu and rate card but this alone does not deter them from charging exorbitantly. They should be asked charge akin to the market rates, then only cinema-goers will get some relief.

IPS Anand, Gurgaon  

Penalise those charging higher rates 

Ideally, charges should not be beyond the MRP. In no case, these should be beyond those charged at the food court of the shopping mall where multiplexes are situated. The Administration should ensure that the visitors are not charged exorbitant rates. The Administration should issue directions to stop the practice and penalise the violators. 

Pawan Kumar Bansal, former Union Minister

Violation of people’s right 

People have the right to get all items, specially eatables, at reasonable  rates. No cinema owner  can be allowed to loot people by charging higher rates as it is the  violation of Article  14  and to some  extent Article  21  of the Constitution  of  India,  which ensures quality  life. If  a packet of  popcorn  is  available at  Rs 10,   nobody has the right  to  charge beyond it. The Administration should control the illegal practice with a heavy hand. 

Satya Pal Jain, former Chandigarh MP

Open loot should be stopped

Residents should not be allowed to be fleeced by the management of multiplexes. The Administration should not allow them to charge more than the MRP It is nothing but an open loot and must be stopped .

Harmohan Dhawan, former Union Minister

Frame strict laws

Steps taken by the District Consumer Protection Council to curb the unethical practice adopted by multiplexes is in the right direction. The Administration should frame strict laws to control prices at multiplexes.

Sanjay Tandon, Chandigarh BJP president

Organised loot

Exorbitant prices charged at multiplexes are nothing but an organised loot and the Administration should take strict steps to stop the practice. The cost of food should not be more than the MRP mentioned on packets. Officers should also check the quality of food items.

Pardeep Chhabra, Chandigarh Congress president