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Now after GST it's not allowedThe government has forbidden companies from selling the same product at different 'maximum retail prices', bringing relief to customers who have complained against a higher MRP being charged at airports, malls and cinemas.The directive is part of the changes in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, which will come into effect from January 1, 2018. "We are giving a breathing period to the manufacturers, so they have enough time for compliance," an official dealing with legal metrology added.The department of consumer affairs said it adopted a balanced approach after wide consultations."Based on the experience of implementation of the rules and after a detailed stakeholder consultation, the department has amended the rules, aimed at enhanced consumer protection, but at the same time balancing with the requirement of ease of doing business," the consumer affairs department said."Specific mention is made in the rules that no person shall declare different MRPs (dual MRP) on an identical pre-packaged commodity, unless allowed under any law. This will benefit consumers at large as they are having complaint regarding dual MRP for item depending upon different type of public places like cinema hall, airport, malls etc.," the statement said.

I represented a client that supplies a certain form of a consumer contract to car dealers. It has a thorough compliance department and takes all appropriate efforts to keep in compliance with the varying laws of the states as to required disclosures, etc. Each state is a bit different.My client is on a mailing list with one state that is designed to keep companies like my client informed of pending changes in the law.There was a change in that state’s law recently. The law had always required that consumers be advised that they had a right to raise complaints to the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs.A new law required that the telephone number for the state agency be added to the forms. The state did not send a notice of this change to my client. The error was discovered two months later and new forms were issued promptly.However, a small number of forms had been used without the telephone number — a phone number of a government agency readily available by telephone directory, Google, or many other means. A consumer lawyer discovered the error, and brought a lawsuit raising claims casting this issue in terms worthy of planetary devastation, seeking megabucks. There was no showing or evidence that any consumer had suffered any injury; this was strict liability.The case ultimately settled because the matter was covered by insurance, and the insurance company determined that a settlement was cheaper than fighting the case and winning.

25th June, 2017 : Jamnagar AirportI had an afternoon flight from Jamnagar to Mumbai. After reaching the airport a bit early, I thought about going to snacks bar and have something to drink. So, I bought Tropicana Mixed fruit juice (which cost Rs 20 in the market) from the snacks bar but oddly, the price quoted to me by the guy was Rs. 30, hearing which I was left astounded because as per my knowledge ,no one can sell any product above MRP and Consumer Protection Act, 2006 also states the same.What I noticed strange was that fake MRP sticker which was pasted upon the actual MRP (photos attached).I went through Google where I found out “Rule 18(5) of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules states that no wholesale dealer or retailer shall obliterate, smudge or alter the retail sale price indicated by the manufacturer or the packer or the importer.”Nevertheless, I didn’t argue much with the guy and bought it and was thinking where to report it to, as it is a serious matter and needs to be reported and brought to light to the higher authorities. One part of my mind said “Why should I get into it & waste my precious time and the other part of it was teaching me patriotism and my moral duties...:P ”Without further ado, I finally made a call to Airport Authority director and stated him the incident and gave him the complaint in writing, to which he assured me of necessary action towards the concerned employees/contractors who are doing such fraudulent activities at Airports.Just after 1 day, I received an appreciation call and mail from Airport authority Director that my complaint has been forwarded to the main office and such fraudulent things have been stopped at the Jamnagar Airport and concerned faulty employees have been given last warning and will be made to accept the mistake in writing. Also, he promised that the message will be spread to contractors/employees working at other Airports as well.Following is the letter sent by Aiport Authority director to the Concerned Contractor :Edit : Letter had to be removed due to Quora’s English usage policy.Moral : Stand up against wrong/immoral things going around you and definitely a change will take place sooner or later.Being ignorant towards these cheaters/scammers is the biggest weapon available to them.Suggestion : If such thing happens with you too at station or airports, do keep the receipt with you and complain to the respective higher management/Legal Metrology Department asap in writing/email.Legal Metrology Department(Weights and Measures) comes under Department of Consumer Affairs and acts strongly against such complaints. You can write an email to the Controller of Legal Metrology Department of your area (Link : http://consumeraffairs.nic.in/consumer/sites/default/files/userfiles/controllers.doc). If you aren't to find your concerned area Controller, you can call Toll free Customer Care Helpline (Department of Consumer Affairs) at 1800-11-4000 (Monday to Saturday ; Timings : 9: 30 am - 17:30 pm) for guidance. While mailing, you can also add Director of Legal Metrology department (email: [email protected]) and Consumer Affairs (email : [email protected]) in "cc" option of mail box, so that complaint comes within the domain of top authorities as well.P.S : While mailing the authorities, please do mention the following details :1. Describe the incident.2. Name and Address of concerned shop with street ,city and state.3. Product/Products that you bought.4. Actual MRP of the product/products.5. Actual amount you paid.6. Attach the Bill Receipt/Photographs/evidence (if any).Note : For information of all, Selling products above MRP is a punishable offence under Section 36 of Legal Metrology Act ,which clearly states that anyone caught selling, distributing or delivering any pre-packaged commodity that does not conform to the declarations on the package shall be punished with fine up to Rs 25,000 for the first offence which can increase to Rs 50,000 for second offence and subsequent offences can attract a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or imprisonment for one year or both.Following are some news pieces which everyone should go through :Government warns of fine, jail term for selling water, cold drinks above MRP - Times of IndiaJail terms and fines on the cards for Indian MRP 'cheats'Edit :After feeling that there are various guys/girls like me who are facing similar situations in their daily life, I have tried to accumulate most of the information by browsing various government sites and wrote it in a newly created FB page India against MRP frauds as currently, I was’t able to find any particular page or blog pertaining to MRP Frauds in specific. It will be useful for everyone as anyone can share information, queries and their experiences.Today is a big day as our Consumer Affairs Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan has issued strict directives to the manufacturers/companies that they can’t declare and print dual MRP’s on the same/identical products(from 1st Jan,18) which is part of changes done in Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules,2011. A big and bold step towards ending this ongoing rampant corruption....!I hope soon the MRP will mean Maximum retail price instead of Manmaana(Arbitrary) Retail price…!Final Edit : Thanks Pavan Sir for posting the article in The logical Indian page and spreading the awareness to wider audience.Voice Of Consumer: It Was A Fake MRP Sticker; I Realised I Was Being Overcharged For The Product At The Airporthttp://toptea.in/2017/07/04/voice-of-consumer-it-was-a-fake-mrp-sticker-i-realised-i-was-being-overcharged-for-the-product-at-the-airport/Mahatma Gandhi once said : “Be the change you want to see in the world.”Nikhil Dhir