Mangaluru : Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U.T. Khader said here on Thursday that the State has written to the Union government to bring packaged drinking water under the Essential Commodities Act.

Addressing presspersons, the Minister said that it was to make it available to all.

He said that the Department of Legal Metrology has begun taking action against owners of such commercial establishments who sold packaged drinking water in excess of the maximum retail price (MRP).

In Mangaluru, 12 cases were registered when 69 commercial establishments were checked recently. He said that there should not be dual MRP and those who sold packaged water are not allowed to paste any sticker on the MRP with a hike in price.

In such cases, consumers can call the Assistant Controller of the department over 0824–2223601.

If the commodities are sold in excess of the MRP, the shop owner could be fined ₹ 2,000 in the first instance. In the second instance, he could be jailed for six months under the Legal Metrology Act.

He said that his department would discuss with civic bodies which gave trade licence to malls and multiplexes on not allowing consumers to carry drinking water inside.

The Minister said that all should be allowed to carry drinking water with them in malls.

Mr. Khader said that he was consulting non-government organisations (NGOs) on framing a policy to prevent wastage of food at grand functions.