STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Acting on the complaints of consumers for being overcharged, Legal Metrology Department (LMD) on Tuesday issued notices to famous fast food chains including Domino’s and Pizza Hut for charging exorbitant rates on sale of soft drinks.
Led by Assistant Controllers Kewal Krishan and Pushakar Raj, the officers of LMD inspected various fast food chains in Jammu city area and conducted extensive checking on the practices adopted to restrict the consumers’ choice. The team checked the rates printed on the menu and verified it with bills.
According to Deputy Controller Enforcement, Manoj Prabhakar the team found that Domino’s was selling Coca Cola with own marked MRP of Rs 60 for 600 ml and Rs 45 for 400 ml, whereas the same product of same company with same quantity and quality is available at much lower MRP of Rs 45 and Rs 25 respective in the market. “The aforesaid food chain has tied up with Coca Cola to sell their products exclusively to the consumers marked with higher MRP amounting to unfair and restrictive trade practice and recent judgment of National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has also termed this marking of dual MRP against the interest of consumers”, he informed adding that action be taken to protect consumers’ interest.
The pizzas too were sold the consumers with non-standard units like big, medium and small as the consumers are unable to know the exact weight, size or the quantity of the products he has paid for. The case was registered by Inspector Pooja under relevant law for overcharging and use of non standard units.
The other team found that Pizza Hut too was indulging in the same deceptive practices which are not good in the eyes of law. The said eatery too has tied up with Pepsi Company to sell their product marked with inflated MRP. Red bull bottle too was being sold at Rs 145 whereas same product is available in the open market at Rs 110.
The case was registered by Inspector Kateeb and sale of such deceptive products was stopped and memo issued to the management of the companies.