MULTIPLEXES CAN’T CHARGE YOU OVER MRP FOR FOOD: STATE

MUMBAI : From August 1, cinema multiplexes in the state may not be able to overcharge you for a tub of popcorn or a glass of cola, nor can they stop you from bringing in food from outside.

The Maharashtra government on Friday promised to follow a central government law from August that will ensure food is not sold over the maximum retail price (MRP).

The state also clarified there were no restrictions on taking outside food into cinema halls.

Snacks at multiplexes are sold at a premium, significantly over the MRP. The issue of exorbitant rates at multiplexes was discussed after the leader of the Opposition in the legislative council, Dhananjay Munde, raised it through a calling attention motion.

Munde pointed out that not only were people being charged over the MRP to buy food at multiplexes, they were also not allowed to take outside food in.

“How can multiplexes and malls charge different rates for food and water?” he asked.

Minister of state for food and civil supplies, Ravindra Chavan, replied saying the Centre was readying a law to ensure food cannot be sold at different prices at different places.

CONTINUED ON P 17 ››RELATED REPORTS, P7 MUMBAI:THE cash-strapped Maharashtra government is ready to spend at least ₹100 crore to provide temporary accommodation for over 300 legislators in Mumbai while it rebuilds Manora MLA Hostel at Nariman Point.

The cost of the new hostel is estimated to be about ₹500 crore.

Not just that, for the duration that Manora is under construction, the government will pay legislators up to ₹1 lakh per month as compensation.

The new Manora will have two towers and 800 flats. It will take approximately four to five years to build.

The state government is planning to sign an agreement with National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd, a central public sector enterprise, as project management consultant.

“Our endeavour is to construct iconic towers for the legislators. The design will be finalised

according to the floor space index (FSI) allotted. The demolition of the existing towers will be done by using latest techniques,” said Atul Prabhu of Shashi Prabhu and Associates, the architectural firm appointed for the project.

Additionally, the state government has decided to offer ₹50,000

a month for each flat allotted to a legislator to pay for their alternate accommodation while the new hostel is being built. Most legislators occupy two flats in Manora, which means they will get a compensation of ₹1 lakh a month.

CONTINUED ON P 17