Sale of overpriced water at the Wankhede adds to BCCI’s trouble

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is already facing hearing with the Lodha Panel in the Supreme Court of India yet another case has been filed against a vendor at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It is reported that the vendor sold overpriced water at the Stadium during the India v England 4th Test that was played from December 8-12.

Legal Metrology Organization in its press note stated, it has acted on complaints from customers that packaged commodities were sold at a premium rate and higher than the printed Maximum Retail Price. It has observed that Ms Wheels and More, Stall No 007, sold a 1-liter water bottle with an MRP of Rs. 20 for Rs. 50 during the match.

“A case has been registered against the seller for violation of the Legal Metrology Act and rules made there under as this is a clear cut case of overcharging,” it stated.

Amitabh Gupta the Special Inspector General of Police and Controller, Legal Metrology ordered an inspection at the Stadium on December 11.

It has also sent a note to the BCCI and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to take necessary steps to end such instances. They have also been asked to mention in their agreement that the vendors have to comply with the Legal Metrology Act and Packaged Commodities Rules along with the directions of Director of Legal Metrology, New Delhi.

The department was a little late to get to the Stadium and so they could not examine all vendors but one Gupta said, “By the time we reached it was late, we could examine only one vendor.”

He also said that if violations are reported in the future they might take action against the MCA or BCCI, “We will examine the agreement with the vendors and then decide. In future, action will be taken against cricket associations.”

Gupta also said that the department will make sure it never happens again. “It (overpricing) won’t happen.”

A MCA official was quoted by Hindustan Times saying that the agreement with the vendors are finalized by the BCCI and not the association.

“We informed our stall owners about the Legal Metrology rules but if there has been any violation it will be investigated. As a precautionary measure, we will not repeat the stall owners,” said Dr PV Shetty, MCA joint secretary.