DC to meet cinema owners

Ramkrishan Upadhyay   

 Tribune News Service    

Chandigarh,  April  26   

In a  step towards providing relief   to residents,  the District Consumer Protection Council (DCPC) has called  a meeting  of cinema owners in Chandigarh to discuss the exorbitant prices of eatables and beverages inside cinema halls and prohibition of outside food in the halls.  

Sources said notices had been issued to owners  of all cinema  halls  and multiplexes  asking them to  attend the  meeting  on  April 30.

The owners have been informed that the  meeting of the DCPC will be chaired by the Deputy  Commissioner.

The   cinema  owners  have been called in   view of the observation of the Bombay High Court that movie-goers cannot be prohibited from bringing their own food and water bottles inside theatres and multiplexes, especially in the light of the fact that vendors sell these at sky-high prices.

The observation of the High Court  came on a public interest litigation challenging the ban on packed food inside cinema halls, especially multiplexes. The  issue was discussed  at the  last  meeting  of the  DCPC  in which members were of the  view that prohibition to carry water and food violated the fundamental right to life of medically venerable persons and senior citizens.