KNOW : MAX RETAIL PRICE (MRP) VIOLATIONS & COMPLAINTS : NUMBERS

YOU CAN COMPLAINT IF YOU NEED TO PAY MORE THAN MRP, Here are Contact Numbers…

All packaged goods in India, ranging from beverages to mobile phones to cosmetics, are stamped with a price dictated by the manufacturer as being the maximum allowable cost to the consumer.
Today’s version of MRP wasadapted in December 1990. Previous to this date, manufacturer’s had the option of printing the price of their commodities in two ways:

• ->Retail price Rs, local taxes extra
• ->Maximum retail price Rs, inclusive of all taxes

Allegations from consumers and organizations that merchants were over-charging by adding additional local taxes on products brought about the change to MRP in 1990. Merchants were tacking on charges under the guise of local taxes when the actual rates were much lower. Consumers could pay one price for a product and a much higher or lower price in a neighboring town. Thus the change was made by the Ministry of Civil Supplies and its executive wing, the Department of Legal Metrology tothe Standards of Weights & Measures Act (Packaged Commodities’ Rules). The change was meant to end complaints and confusion of over-charging to consumers for products. There have since been numerous complaints regarding this system of pricing with regards to under-charging of goods relative to MRP.

What does this mean for you?
In theory you should check the MRP on products before purchasing. Some merchants will charge less than the printed price at their discretion. If this happens to me, I make a mental note to return to that store in the future. On the opposite side, some merchants will try to charge more. If questioned, you may get a response that a newer stock has since come into their store with a revised MRP under which they are selling the old stock. While this is not allowable, there isn’t much you can do unless the merchant feels you aren’t willing to ease on the lower price. Another tactic to watch for is a merchant quoting you a price which he/she will then offer a discount on. Being giddy about the prospect of receiving a discount, you may not check the MRP until you’ve reached your destination. Unwrap your item to discover the MRP is actually less than the discounted price you paid.

What can you do to protect yourself?

• Obtain full information regarding quality and price before making any purchases.
• Be careful, about false and /or misleading advertisement.
• Purchase only when you need and do not purchase in a hurry.
• Do not buy blindly. Demand full information before you buy.
• Do not compromise on the quality of goods and services and its quality. Purchase only quality products.
• Ask for Bills always, bills that have enough proof that you can legally claim that you have made the purchase from that particular retailer.

You can file a complaint with the District Forum if you feel you have been over-charged. However, the opposing party has 30 days to file their version of events and can even extend this for an additional 15 day period. As a tourist you have very little recourse legally unless you are a long term traveler in one location.

Do keep one thing in mind. As of 2003, hotels are not subject to the MRP act. Packed goods purchased within a hotel can be sold at the property’s discretion.
Keep your eyes open and always check prices cause your travel budget only goes so far.

For Complaining in India…

S.NO.	CONTACT DETAILS OF THE CONCERNED DEPARTMENT
1.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Andhra Pradesh, No. 209, PWD Building, Gandhi Nagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh – 500 380 Ph: 040-27612170 Fax: 040-27613667 HYDERABAD – 500 030
2.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Andaman & Nicobar Island, Port Blair – 744 101 Ph: 03192-232321 PORT BLAIR – 744 101
3.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Old Secretaraiat  Complex, Nagarlagun –791110 Ph: 0360-2350837, 2248620, 2351150 Fax:0360-2350837
4.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Assam, Ulubari, Guwahati-781007 Ph: 0361-2470992
5.	Office of Dept., of Agriculture Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Bihar, Raja Bajar, Beli Road, Patna – 800 014 Ph: 0612-2286258 Fax 0612 -2224365:
6.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Chandigarh Administration, Old Architect Building, West Wing, Sector 19-B, Chandigarh Ph: 0172-2741341 Fax: 0172-741341,2741503
7.	The Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Govt of Chattisgarh, Raipur-492001  Ph.0771-2524294/2343274/2343275
8.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Dadra &  Nagar Haveli Administration, Silvasa – 396 230 Ph: 02639-242721
9.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Daman & Diu Administration, Daman – 396 220 Ph: 02638-254685
10.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of India Delhi, NCT of Delhi, 117-118, C-Block, Vikas Bhavan, N.Delhi – 110 002 Ph: 011-23379266, 23379262 Fax: 011- 23379267:
11.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Goa, Panaji – 403 001 Ph: 0832-2426432 Fax:0832-2220218
12.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Gujarat, Tolmap Bhavan, Opp. Sarang Pur Water Tank, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380 002 Ph: 079-22114177 Fax: 079-22114234 AHMEDABAD – 380 002
13.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Haryana, Footwall chowk, Dist., industries center building , Ambala Cantt. Ph: 0172-708581, 701366
14.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Himachal Pradesh, Apurti Bhavan, 1st Floor, Block No. 42, SDA Commercial Complex, Kasumpti Shimla – 171 009 Ph: 0177-2625345
15	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Revenue Complex Building, Takkipora, Srinagar Ph: 0194-473828
16.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Civil Sectt. Block-I/16, Jammu Ph: 0191-2549682 Fax:0191-2566188,2458693
17.	Joint Agriculture Director cum Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Govt of Jharkhand ,Lakshmi Nivas, Krishi Bahvan, Kanke Road, Ranchi – 834006 0651 230923 (fax)
18.	Sri Ramachandra Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Karnataka, No.1, Ali Askar Road, P.B. No. 175, Bangalore, Karnataka – 560 052 Ph: 080-22253500  26682715 (Res) Fax 080-22259024 BANGALORE-560052
19.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Kerala, Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 695 033 Ph: 0471-2303821    2310321  (Res) Fax:0471-2305996
20.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Lakshdweep, Kavaratti – 682 555 Ph: 04896-262112 Fax:04896- 263298 KAVARATTI – 682 555
21.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Madhya Pradesh, Near Dak Bhavan, Bhopal-Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal – 462 011 Ph: 0755-2551017;
.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Maharashtra, Government Barrack No. 7, Free Press Journal Marg, Mumbai – 400 021 Ph: 022-22023354 Fax: 022-22024950
23	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Manipur, 2nd MR Gate, North ADC Lane, Imphal – 795 001 Ph: 0385-311687,
24.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Meghalaya, Shillong Temple Road, Lower Lachuier, Shillong – 793 001 Ph: 0364-222576
25.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Mizoram, Aizawal Ph: 0389-2322872, 2322572 Fax:0389-2321035
26.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Nagaland, Kohima – 797 001 Ph: 0370-2221609 0370-2222862;    2221764(Res)
27.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Orissa, Khandagiri, Bhubneshwar – 751 003 Ph: 0674-4129967 Fax:0674-2402854
28.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Dy. Commissioner (Excise) and Ex-officio Under Secy.(Revenue) Thattanchavady, Pondicherry – 605 009 Ph: 0413-252493 (personal), 253462 (Off: with extension), 372523® 255196 (Res) Fax: 0413-253462
29.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Punjab, 17, Bays Building, Sector 17, Chandigarh 0172-2701131
30.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Rajasthan, Udyog Bhavan, Tilak Marg, Jaipur – 300 001 Ph: 0141-380796, 380727 Telefax:380796
31 .	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Sikkim, Paljor Stadium, Paljor Stadium Road, Gangatok – 737 101 Ph: 03592-202893;
32.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Tamil Nadu, DMS Compound, Teynampet, Chennai – 600 006 Ph: 044-24321 438
33	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Tripura, Tripura, Agartala Ph: 0381-2325997;
34.	The Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Govt of Uttaranchal, 15, Gandhi Road, Dehradun –248001.
35.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of Uttar Pradesh, 7, Walaquad Road, Lucknow – 1 (Uttar Pradesh) Ph: 0522-2628063;
36.	Controller of Legal Metrology (Weights & Measures) Government of West Bengal, 45, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Calcutta – 700 013 Ph: 033-22364258,22256647,22520052

Courtesy : http://consumeraffairs.nic.in, http://www.fullstopindia.com