Narayana college canteens booked for charging more than MRP

Hyderabad: The legal metrology department in Ranga Reddy district has booked Narayana Junior College's Koheda and Kuntloor campuses in Hayathnagar after their canteens were found charging more than the maximum retail price.

Based on a complaint by a consumer activist, the department conducted inspections at three campuses in Hayathnagar. During the course of the inspections, it was found that the Kalanagar campus at Pasumamla was closed. However, two cases were registered against Narayana College's canteen at Koheda and Kuntloor for contravention of Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and Rule 6(1) (d) (e) of the Legal Metrology (PC) Rules, 2011.

According to Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, any transaction which is in contravention of standard weight or measure is punishable with a fine up to Rs. 10,000 and for the second or subsequent offence with imprisonment up to one year, or with a fine, or both.

The complainant had alleged, "Narayana Junior and Degree colleges located at Kalanagar, Pasumamula village, Koheda (girls) campus, and Kuntloor campus in Ranga Reddy district have violated the rules of legal metrology. The canteens at these campuses are exploiting students by collecting more than the MRP on cold drinks, soaps, noodles, books, and pens. Also, some food items are being sold without the mandatory declarations. For instance, the MRP on cold drink is Rs. 18, but the canteen sells it for Rs. 20."

Srikhande Umesh Kumar, president of Know Your Rights Society, told Newsmeter, "Narayana College canteens are collecting more than the MRP on prepackaged commodities. As students from different regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh study there, they don't know who to complain to. The management is not bothered about the complaints raised by the students. In the interest of the students, authorities concerned must take stringent action against these canteens for violating the rules. We also demand that a heavy fine be imposed on these canteens for charging more than the MRP on packaged commodities."