Victory for Consumers: HC Order on Multiplex Food Prices!

14 July 2018 – No sooner had the Maharashtra government agreed to allow outside food inside multiplexes and regulate the prices of food and beverages sold inside multiplexes and theatres, than DNA spoke to Advocate Aditya Pratap, who had moved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court (HC) on behalf of activist Jainendra Baxi. The PIL sought a cap on prices of food items sold by vendors inside the multiplexes and the permission for people to bring their own food.

Relief Sought in the Petition
The petition seeks directions to permit people to carry their own food inside cinema halls. The government should be directed to add a new license condition that, if a cinema hall refuses to allow food inside, its license will be canceled. Furthermore, it argues that multiplexes violate the Right to Life under Article 21 when they prohibit people from carrying their own food into the theatre.

Multiplex Owners’ Opposition
The Multiplex Owners Association has consistently opposed the petition. They claim that a cinema theatre is private property and that when a person buys a ticket, they give up the right to carry food inside the cinema hall. There is a possibility that they might challenge the order.

Government Action After HC’s Direction
The government acted after the HC asked them to regulate the prices of food items while hearing the petition filed by Pratap. This is a positive decision taken by the government, which shows respect for the rule of law. The Maharashtra government’s decision will go a long way in upholding the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It demonstrates that respect for the Constitution has prevailed over the private security and profit interests of multiplex owners.

MNS Claims Credit for Maharashtra Multiplex Diktat
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) claimed credit for the state government’s announcement in the Legislative Assembly on Friday that people could take outside food into multiplexes.

“The credit definitely goes to our party for this (the announcement). Unfortunately, we had to adopt an aggressive stand on the issue, but before doing that, we had submitted memorandums. This (announcement) is a victory of that process (initiated by the party),” MNS spokesperson Anil Shidore said on Friday.

He contended that disallowing film patrons from carrying home-cooked or outside food and forcing them to purchase eatables at “exorbitant” rates inside multiplexes went against the “basic rights” of people. “People should have a choice. You can’t say that one doesn’t have a choice in a democracy,” Shidore added.

Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection Minister Chavan made the statement in response to a calling attention motion moved by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde and other members. The MNS had recently protested against multiplexes charging exorbitant rates. — PTI