VIJAYAWADA: Civil Supplies Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao has said that the Centre should bring in a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) Controlling Act to check rampant irregularities at multiplexes and shopping malls.
He was addressing a Consumer Protection Council (CPC) meeting, organised on Tuesday for the first time in six years, at the Interim Government Complex, Amravati.
Disclosing the details of the meeting to media persons, Pulla Rao said that majority of the consumers wanted appointment of an official for the CPC, and establishment of lab facility in every district. The Centre would sanction Rs 50 lakh for setting up a lab, if the State government allocated land for the purpose. The labs would be helpful in testing the quality of the essential commodities supplied to consumers, he said.
Upon being told that people are being charged Rs 5 for using toilets at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS), the minister spoke to Transport Minister K Atchannaidu, and requested him to bring down it to Rs 2.
Consumers also appealed to the minister to initiate strict action against illegal mineral water plants mushrooming in the State, and against traders selling the products in violation of the MRP norm.
Responding to the consumers’ plea, Pulla Rao said that instructions were given to joint collectors in district to conduct surprise checks on malls and multiplexes, and take action against the traders violating MRP rules.
When it was brought to his notice that some traders were adding GST to MRP, he appealed to people not to pay the tax. Rao also lauded the CPC and said awards would be given to the members in December. The minister directed the officials concerned to address the grievances brought out by the consumers before the next meeting.