Theatre owners asked to issue bills to customers

A tussle is going on between multiplex and cinema theatre owners and the legal metrology department over issuing bills to customers.

The legal metrology department had recently asked the managements of multiplexes and cinema theatres not to sell packaged goods for more than the maximum retail price (MRP).

It asked the managements to issue bills to customers whenever they make purchase at the canteen.

Controller of Legal Metrology Akun Sabharwal met with representatives of multiplexes and cinema theatres owners and asked them to sell eatables and water as per MRP, the same as outside.

He said that as per the Consumer Act, a bill should be issued to the customer for every purchase and it was the responsibility of every multiplex and cinema theatre owner to ensure that it is done.

Telangana Theatre Owners Association general secretary M. Vijender Reddy said that managements were ready to display the MRP.

“When it comes to issuing bills we are apprehensive. Four shows run at a time, and there is a 10minute break during every show. People swarm to the canteen but there are only two to three persons at the sale counters, which makes it difficult to provide bills,” he said.

Asian Multiplexes owner Sunil Narang said the managements would hold a meeting on Monday to decide on the issue.

“At a time about 500 people come at the canteen and it is quite difficult to issue bills for every small purchase. We will decide on how to deal with the issue,” he said.

It is learnt,that the managements were planning different ways to find a solution so as to adhere to the rules.

One plan was to pin the bill to the product.

Dr Sabharwal said there was no choice in the matter and it was mandatory for the managements to issue bills for the products if demanded by the customer.

“No one asked them to adhere to the rules. It does not mean that there are no rules. Whenever, the customer demands a bill for the purchase he makes, he is entitled to it and should be given one,” the official said.

As per Consumer Act, a bill should be issued to the customer for every purchase and it was the responsibility of every multiplexes and cinema theatre owners, Dr Sabharwal said.