Govt warns of action against packaged water sale above MRP

Sale of packaged water and soft drinks at more than their Maximum Retail Price – including at airports, multiplexes and hotels – will attract stringent penal actions like fines and jail term.

Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan yesterday said packaged drinking water is sold at 10-20 per cent higher rates at these places, while in some cases, MRP is not even written on the water bottle and “soft drinks like Coca Cola are sold in loose at an increased rate”.

He added that the ‘ISI’ quality certification mark is mandatory for packaged water bottles and this needs to be implemented in true spirit in the interest of consumers.