Maharashtra Govt to allow outside food items in theaters

Maharashtra Government will allow outside food items inside multiplexes August 1, 2018 onwards. State Food Supplies Minister Ravindra Chavan said the government will take action against theatres who do not comply with the order.

This statement was made in the Nagpur Assembly after the Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde asked the government to clarify if or not outside food is allowed in theatres. A Public litigation on this matter is pending before the Bombay High Court. Jainendra BAxi had filed the PIL earlier this year that there is no legal provision which prohibits movie-goers from carrying outside food in theatres.

At the last hearing, the Bombay High Court granted the Government Pleader further time to seek instructions and file an affidavit regarding its stand on the matter. The



petition is pending and is scheduled to be heard on 25 July 2018.

The government will also hold meetings with multiplex owners and fix prices of food items that are sold in theatres.

Mr Deepak Asher, President of the Multiplex Association of India said, “Since the matter is currently sub-judice, and since we have no other formal communication from any regulatory authority, we would not like to comment any further on the matter.”

MAI clarified, “We wish to clarify that 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.”