Hyderabad: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal (NCDR) Commission, New Delhi, has directed the Inox Multiplex management at GVK One Mall to provide water bottles to its customers strictly at the prescribed maximum retail price only and also to provide ‘free’ purified water dispensers near the entrances/exits of screens and at other convenient areas.
The order further stated that serious action would be taken if the opposite party (theatre management) failed to comply with the said direction.
The order was passed after city-based resident Vijay Gopal moved the NCDR Commission in this regard. Responding to the petition filed by Mr Gopal, the NCDR Commission observed that the opposite party (Inox multiplex) was resorting to an unfair trade practice by charging its customers more than the MRP within its premises.
“It needs to be brought to the notice of the state government that selling water bottles at prices above the marked maximum retail price is not permissible by the law and amounts to unfair trade practise. The state government must act immediately against the businesses indulging in such practices by imposing penalties as per the principle laid down by the National Commission, New Delhi,” Mr Gopal told this newspaper.
As ordered by the District Forum, the complainant is entitled to an amount of Rs 5,000 in compensation and Rs 1,000 in costs.
The National forum has hereby directed all cinema theatres and multiplexes situated in the Hyderabad and Secunderabad, although not impleaded as parties to the proceedings, to follow the directions issued in the case.
