Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has issued a diktat allowing people to carry their own food into multiplexes from August 1.
“The MRP parity for food items inside and outside the multiplexes would be effective from August 1 and the Home Department of the state government will formulate a policy to act against violators,” Food supplies minister Ravindra Chavan said while making the announcement.
The state government is also expected to ask multiplexes not to overcharge customers for food items sold inside their premises.
Following the announcement, shares of the country’s largest multiplex PVR crashed by more than 12% and that of Inox Leisure and Mukta Arts also saw 14% decline.
Around 30% of revenues in multiplexes is attributed to food sales, according to a report published in the Indian Express.
However, the Multiplex Association of India released a statement stating, ‘none of the multiplex cinema theatres operated by any of our members have received any order, notification or communication to this effect from the Government of Maharashtra or any other regulatory authority. Hence we are not aware of any decision to this effect, if taken by the Government.’
