T’puram: Twenty-six cases were registered and five show-cause notices were issued following joint surprise inspections by the legal metrology, food safety and civil supplies departments at cinema theatres across several districts.The inspections were conducted on the instructions of minister Anoop Jacob following complaints that theatres were not providing access to drinking water, were charging excessive prices and were failing to display price information.As part of the second phase of follow-up inspections linked to checks conducted last month, fines totalling Rs 62,000 were imposed.In Kozhikode, a notice was issued to Surabhi Theatres in Ramanattukara for failing to mention the manufacturer’s details on packets. At Mallika Plex Theatre in Feroke, Cheruvannur, a case was registered after a 60g packet of popcorn was found to contain 7.5g less than the declared quantity. The food safety department also registered cases for storing food in unhygienic conditions, providing incomplete label information and failing to renew the licence.In Kannur, Archana Complex in Payyanur was fined Rs 10,000 after popcorn sold as 65g was found to weigh 52g. At AK Cine Palace in Cherupuzha, popcorn labelled as 60g weighed 42g, resulting in a Rs 5,000 fine. At Dev Cinemas in Kanichar, popcorn marked as 50g was found to weigh 35g.A case was also registered against SJG Cinema Theatre in Ulikkal for failing to seal its weighing machine on time. The civil supplies department directed another establishment to display its price list and arrange drinking water outside the theatre hall.At Dhanya Ramya Theatre in Kottayam, popcorn sold as 55g weighed 48.6g, while a 40g pack weighed 34.8g. A case was registered for short-weight sale and a fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed. Notices were issued to Anupama Theatre and Velvet View Theatre in Kumarakom for using non-standard measurements in sales.In Ernakulam, inspections were conducted at eight theatres in Aluva, Angamaly, North Paravur, Ayyampilly and Njarakkal. At Matha-Madhurya Theatre in Aluva, tea sold for Rs 30, which was supposed to be 210ml, measured only 130ml. Popcorn priced at Rs 120, which was expected to weigh 50g, weighed 16g, while cheese popcorn priced at Rs 150 weighed 70g against the declared quantity of 80g. The theatre was fined Rs 25,000 for under-measurement. The civil supplies department also instructed the theatre to keep drinking water in a visible location.In Alappuzha, inspections at four locations in Chengannur and Ambalappuzha found that C Cinemas in Chengannur was using weighing instruments that had not been sealed on time. A case was registered and a fine of Rs 2,000 imposed. At Rayban Cine House in Alappuzha, a notice was issued for displaying the price of popcorn without mentioning its weight.In Kollam, inspections were conducted at theatres in Chinnakkada and Kadappakkada. At the stall of Usha A/C Cinema Theatre in Chinnakkada, a notice was issued for incomplete labelling on packets and for failing to mention the quantity or weight of food items in the price list. Coffee sold as 130ml was found to contain only 92ml, leading to a case being registered. The district supply officer and the food safety department also registered cases for incomplete label details and failure to issue bills.At CNC Cinemas in Chunnambuthara, Palakkad, an inspection found a shortage of 25g in a popcorn packet labelled as 65g.In Malappuram, inspections at theatres in Changaramkulam and Kottakkal found shortages in popcorn sold at Leena Theatre in Kottakkal. The food safety department also registered cases for storing food in unhygienic conditions, not having the required medical certificates for food-handling workers and failing to ensure that workers wore head caps.In Thrissur, inspections in the Mukundapuram, Chalakudy and Kodungallur taluks found that electronic weighing scales at Chembakassery Cinemas in Irinjalakuda, D Cinemas and Surabhi Theatre in Chalakudy, and Shivadam Theatre in Oorakam had not been reverified and sealed on time.No irregularities were detected during inspections in the other districts.
