Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Consumer Rights Organisation- Goa to crack a whip on those overcharging the consumers on packed cold drinks and water bottles off the counter. Drive against the adulteration in sweets will also going to start.
The summer season is at its peak, and scorching heat is making people’s lives miserable. People are taking up several options to beat the heat. One such option to keep oneself hydrated is to drink cold water or cold drinks, which are sold at every nook and corner of Goa.
Unfortunately, buying a bottle of chilled water or a soft drink has become a luxury these days. Many stalls, restaurants, hotels, and outlets sell packed water and cold drink bottles at extra charge. These outlets are not selling these packed drinks at MRP rates but tend to charge extra by giving the reason for cooling charges.
When contacted, Vinod Kinlekar (Pandey), head of Consumer Rights Organisation-Goa, said that he had come across one incident wherein he was charged Rs.20 for a packed water bottle of Rs.10.
“When I asked why I am being charged twice the price of the packed bottle, the shopkeeper gave him a reply that the additional charge is for cooling the bottle,” he said.
Kinlekar further said that Cold drinks should be served chilled without any extra charges for chilling it.
“This is open loot of the hard earn money from the people. Consumer Rights Organisation-Goa will not tolerate such malpractices, and soon we will start conducting raids and drives along with the concerned officers to eradicate any of such malpractices,” he added.
When asked about the Sweets that are kept in sweet marts for many days, Kinlekar said that the shopkeepers should not play with the people’s lives and fresh sweets need to be sold.
“Stale sweets might cause food poising and are unhealthy for people,” he said.
He also revealed that soon Consumer Rights Organisation-Goa will also going to check the hygiene of the stalls and food carts from the Vasco town. If anyone is found doing business in unhygienic conditions, strict action will be taken on them,” Kinlekar said.
