Whether you are buying a box of tea or skimming through some delectable cookies on the aisle of your nearby supermarket, one thing is sure. You, checking out the cost of the product in your hand. And many a times based on the MRP of a product, a decision to take it or leave it is made. The MRP, though mandatory, cannot exceed a certain limit. However, sellers can sell products at a discounted price, if they chose to do so. But what if you are paying beyond the MRP?
A maximum retail price, is calculated by the manufacturer taking into consideration various factors like transportation, taxes, raw material and is the highest price at which a seller can sell. However, in some instances, we end up paying more than the MRP of the product. For example, a bottle of packaged mineral water in a restaurant is likely to come at a price higher than its MRP. This is due to extra charges levied like cost of refrigeration.
However, charging more than the set MRP is against the law, under the Central Law of Metrology, with fines upto Rs2000/- on violations. But just like laws have exemptions, there is one here too. The Supreme Court Of our country issued a diktat that restaurants can charge a higher fee than the MRP for bottled water. This is because the hotel does not just sell a bottle of water for money but also provides the customer with auxiliary benefits like ambience and cutlery. The provisions of the said law are not applicable to restaurants and hotels and hence they cannot be prosecuted for the offence of selling above product MRP
So, one has to continue paying an extra charge while buying any packaged food and water from your favorite restaurant.
