Palatable policy for aam aadmi soon?

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is chalking up a policy that will allow citizens to bring their own food inside not only multiplexes  but also amusement parks, circus tents, sports grounds and auditoriums. The policy will also keep a check on the prices of food that is sold inside multiplexes, which are exorbitant.

A division bench comprising Justice Shantanu Kemkar and Justice Makarand Karnik was hearing a PIL filed by city resident Jainendra Baxi. The plea claimed that there was no legal or statutory provision prohibiting one from carrying one’s eatables or water inside movie theatres. Mr Baxi’s lawyer Aditya Pratap told the court that the Maharashtra Cinemas Rules, in fact, prohibit hawking and selling of food inside theatres and auditoriums.

A delegation of multiplexes met officials of the home department to put forth their objections to people bringing outside food to their establishments. “The delegation said that outside food could pose a threat to security and hurt religious sentiments. Arms can be carried in the guise of food. But we do not agree with this view. People should be allowed to bring their own food inside multiplexes. However, there is no clear policy for bringing in outside food not only for theatres but also amusement parks, circus tents, sports grounds and auditoriums. We are drafting a policy to amend the Maharashtra Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1966 considering all these angles,” said an official from the home department.    

Taking cognisance of complaints by Mr Baxi, who pointed to cinema halls restricting patrons from carrying outside food and thus resorting to profiteering by charging more than the MRP for food products sold inside cinema halls, the high court on Thursday directed the state to frame guidelines for the same.   Multiplex owners argue that they cannot sustain themselves with lower food rates. In fact, they have demanded permission to increase the price of snacks. “We will consider all suggestions and objections before finalising the policy,” the official said.