The officials of Legal Metrology on Wednesday booked cases against three star hotels in the city — ITC Kakatiya, Green Park and Marigold by Green Park — for selling packaged mineral water bottles and soda bottles for excess price.
Based on the complaints of customers that the managements were selling packaged mineral water for exorbitant prices, Legal Metrology officials of Hyderabad raided the hotels and found the allegations true.
“Green Park management was selling packaged mineral water for ₹ 70.80 including GST, while the MRP including GST was ₹ 20 per bottle. ITC Kakatiya was selling a three 500 ml water bottles for ₹ 265.50 including GST. The actual price of each water bottle is ₹ 12 and they are selling it with an excess price. We received a complaint on this and after checking, it was confirmed,” said District Legal Metrology inspector, S Nirmal Kumar.
The official said that Marigold by Green Park was selling a 500 ml soda bottle for ₹ 94, while the MRP was ₹ 15 per bottle.
The officer said that no commercial establishment has the right to sell packaged items for more than MRP (Maximum Retail Price).
They are allowed to sell goods manufactured or made by themselves for any price, but not those which are manufactured by others.
Cases have been registered against the hotels for violation of The Rule 18 (2) of the Legal Metrology (packaged commodities) Rules 2011, of the Legal Metrology Act with 18/36 of legal Metrology Act 2009, said Mr. Kumar.
He said that all the three cases are compoundable and a penalty of ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 25,000 will be charged on the hotel managements.
