Andhra Follows Maharashtra’s Footsteps, Allows Outside Food And Drinks In Multiplexes

In what has come as news worth celebrating for moviegoers in Andhra Pradesh, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (DCDRF) in Vijayawada has ordered multiplexes to allow moviegoers to bring packaged water, soft drinks, and food from outside.

Free drinking water and reasonably priced food

Seen as a landmark ruling, the order was the result of complaints filed by five activists and Consumer Guidance Society of Vijaywada against dual MRPs of food products at multiplexes. The forum has also ordered the multiplexes to sell all products at either the same price or at a slightly higher price than the market rates. It has also ordered that drinking water must be provided free of cost, reports the publication.

It is to be noted that the Maharashtra government had announced earlier in July that moviegoers will be free to carry outside food inside multiplexes starting August 1. The government had further directed the multiplex owners that food products must be sold at the same MRP as it is sold outside the multiplexes.

Forcing towards junk food

A division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai at The Bombay High Court  said that multiplexes were compelling families and children to eat junk food instead of healthy food by not allowing outside food into their premises. “If people can be permitted to carry home food inside an aircraft then why not to theatres?” asked Justice More.

This ruling was given during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Jainendra Baxi, which stated that there was no law which prohibits people from carrying their own food inside theatres.