Lok Sabha Question No. 371 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: MRP of Packaged Water
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA, ABHISHEK SINGH

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Government of India Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *371

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## MRP OF PACKAGED WATER

*371.  SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD: SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has sought explanation from companies selling packaged mineral water at  different  Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) at different places and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether some companies are doing exclusive packaging for selling packaged drinking water bottles at places such as malls, cinema halls and parks and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

- (c) the  rules  and  guidelines  regarding  such  exclusive  packaging  by  companies  to  sell  their products at prices more than MRP;

- (d) the manner in which the Government proposes to ensure that sale of packaged water bottles at malls, cinema halls and other such places conforms to MRP; and

- (e) whether the Government is contemplating to take action against such companies and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h ¼Jh jke foykl ikloku½

THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO  PARTS (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*371 FOR 28.03.2017 REGARDING MRP OF PACKAGED WATER.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- (a) : The Central Government issued advisory on 24.10.2016 to the States informing them the of the  Nation  Consumer Disputes  Redressal  Commission  (NCDRC) order dated 01.02.2016 in Revision Petition No. 2038 of 2015 wherein it was ruled that 'there cannot be two maximum retail prices except in  accordance  with  law'  and  requested  them  to  take  necessary  action  to  protect  the  interests  of consumers.  The  State  Governments  are  empowered  under  the  Legal  Metrology  Act,  2009  and  the provisions  of  the  Legal  Metrology  (Packaged  Commodities)  Rules,  2011      to  issue  notices  and  seek explanation  from  the  companies  for  violation  of  the  provisions  of  the  Act  or  the  rules  therein.  The Central Government issued follow-up advisories on the subject on 02.12.2016 and 22.03.2017.
- (b) :  States  have  reported  that  some  companies  are  doing  exclusive  packages  for  selling packaged  drinking  water  bottles  at  places  vis.,  Malls,  Cinema  Halls  and  Parks.  As  per  the  latest information  received from the States, the total numbers of cases booked for violation of MRP, which inter-alia include cases against manufacturers/sellers of packaged drinking water, are 6903 in  2015-16 and  6766  in  2016-17.  No  separate  figures  are  maintained  for  cases  exclusively  booked  against manufacturers/ sellers of packaged drinking water.
- (c) :    Section  36  of  the  Legal  Metrology  Act,  2009  and  the  Legal  Metrology  (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 provide for penalty provisions in case of violations related inter-alia to MRP.

(d) & (e)  :   As per provisions of the Legal Metrology Act and Rules thereof, States take actions against violation of provisions of the Act and the Packaged Commodities Rules. Number of cases booked has already been indicated as above.

*****