UT yet to rationalise rates of eatables at multiplexes

CHANDIGARH: While the UT food and supplies had submitted its report on the eatables sold at multiplexes in city, the UT administration is yet to take call on rationalizing rates of eatables in multiplexes.

The UT deputy commissioner in April last year had issued directions to multiplex owners to justify the rates of eatables sold to moviegoers. The DC office had even asked multiplexes to allow senior citizens and children below the age of five years to bring their own food.

At a meeting of the district consumer protection council, chaired by former DC Ajit Balaji Joshi on July 26 last year, multiplexes were asked to submit a list of the sold food items and their rates to the UT administration within a week.

Thereafter the food and supplies department had even prepared its report on these food rates but to no avail. Though multiplexes allowed senior citizens and children below the age of five to get their own food, the exorbitant food rates continue to be the same.

The UT administration’s directions came after the Bombay high court had on April 4 last year said that moviegoers could not be unilaterally prohibited from bringing their own food and water bottles inside theatres and multiplexes when vendors were allowed to serve food inside at exorbitant prices.

Under the CrPC, the DC can pass prohibitory orders under Section 13 and also order the registration of a FIR against multiplex owners, if found violating norms.

Movie screens in the city are located at Elante Mall and Centra Mall, both in Chandigarh’s Industrial Area; Fun Republic Mall in Manimajra; TDI Mall in Sector 17; DLF City Centre Mall in IT Park and Piccadily Square in Sector 34.