New Delhi, 12 June

The RSS-affiliated consumer rights organisation Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) on Friday demanded greater regulation and transparency in the MRP system, including for medicines and essential consumer goods.

Holding a dharna and a public awareness programme at Jantar Mantar here, the organisation sought a transparent mechanism for determining maximum retail prices (MRPs), a ceiling on profit margins for essential commodities and medicines, and disclosure of production costs, distribution costs and profit margins to consumers.

It said it will submit a memorandum to the government seeking measures to protect consumers from excessive pricing.

The Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) also demanded a policy to regulate wide price differences among medicines containing the same salt, whether generic or branded, and the creation of a digital price-monitoring system through which consumers can verify approved MRPs and prevailing market prices.

Addressing the gathering, ABGP national president Narayanbhai Shah said the present MRP system requires reforms to ensure that consumers are not disadvantaged.

"The original purpose of the MRP system was to protect consumers from arbitrary pricing. Consumers have the right to know the actual cost of production of a product and the extent of profit added before it reaches the market," Shah said.

The protest was attended by consumer rights activists, social organisations and office-bearers of the ABGP from different parts of the country.

ABGP national general secretary Jayantbhai Kathiriya said lack of transparency is particularly visible in the pharmaceutical sector.

"Medicines containing the same salt are often sold at vastly different prices under different brand names, imposing an unnecessary financial burden on consumers and patients," he said.

Kathiriya urged the government to make the pricing mechanism for medicines and essential consumer goods more transparent and accountable.

Delhi state president Ishwar Chand and state secretary Banti Chourasia said consumer awareness is equally important for protecting consumer rights and appealed to people to understand MRP, product quality and pricing practices before making purchases.

The organisation also sought a consultative role for consumer bodies in matters related to price determination and consumer protection.

The ABGP said a transparent pricing mechanism will provide relief to consumers while promoting fair competition, accountability and trust in the marketplace.