Kochi | Keralam Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob on Tuesday warned of strict action against those who change the quantity, weight and price of products in theatres and markets in the state.

Jacob's warning came days after the Legal Metrology Department conducted inspections at cinema theatres in malls following complaints of overcharging for food items.

The minister was inaugurating the distribution of live certificates at a Panchayat and Municipality-level Autorickshaw Fare Meter Inspection Camp held in the Piravom Municipality in Ernakulam district.

His warning of strict action also comes in the wake of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor V V Rajesh claiming that he has been receiving frequent complaints about theatres charging excessive prices for tickets and food items.

Rajesh, last week, contended that such activities were not something new and had been going on for years.

He further said that the issue assumed greater significance with theatres allegedly adopting dynamic pricing for tickets, resulting in sharp increases during peak periods.

He had cited the case of a family in Thiruvananthapuram that allegedly paid Rs 6,048.94 online for seven tickets expecting recliner seats, but received seats priced at Rs 230 each.

At the same time, the mayor conceded that the Corporation had limited powers to intervene directly in the pricing of cinema tickets and food items, but said local authorities could intervene in other aspects.