Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh has stepped in over the issue of excess prices being charged for food and potable water at movie houses and multiplexes, giving cinema owners 15 days to implement corrective measures.
Rajesh announced the decision following a meeting with owners of movie houses and multiplexes on September 9. He asked cinema owners not to prevent parents from bringing food for their children and directed them to comply with the conditions of their licences.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Mayor said the Municipal Corporation does not have the power to control prices. However, he directed cinema operators to provide drinking water at the entry point and permit parents to bring food for their children.
He also stressed that parking facilities should be provided at the movie houses and warned that there would be no compromise if licence conditions were violated.
Rajesh said the Municipal Corporation squad would conduct inspections at the cinema houses. He also directed that care be taken during body searches and bag checks, stating that women should conduct searches of women. The dignity and modesty of film-goers should not be compromised, he said.
He further insisted that parking facilities be provided within the movie-house premises and added that there would be no compromise on fire and safety parameters.
A couple of days earlier, officials from the Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology departments had conducted surprise inspections at multiplexes in Thiruvananthapuram, following Rajesh’s earlier remarks on alleged irregularities in the pricing of water and eatables at cinemas.
The inspections were carried out at multiplexes in Lulu Mall, Mall of Travancore and Aries Plus. Officials checked the information printed on packets, the weight of products, price lists and the accuracy of weighing balances. They also checked whether free potable drinking water was being provided.
During the inspections, it was found that a one-litre water bottle with an MRP of Rs 100 was being sold for Rs 90 at the movie houses.
There are allegations that water is purchased for less than Rs 10 and sold at the MRP of Rs 100. However, strict action in this regard can be taken only by the state government.
According to reports, the government has been citing a court verdict as the reason for not taking action, with officials reportedly unable to initiate suo motu proceedings.
Rajesh’s intervention has emerged as a welcome development in the state. Legal Metrology officials had also conducted inspections at multiplexes in Kochi a couple of days earlier, indicating that the initiative taken in Thiruvananthapuram could prompt similar action elsewhere.
