Karnataka High Court Dismisses PIL To Display MRP Of Tractors, Other Agricultural Equipments On Companies' Websites And Govt Portal

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation seeking a direction to the Central Government to make it compulsory for all manufacturers of Agricultural equipments and of Tractors, to mention the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of their products and to display the same in the showroom and website and on the government managed agricultural portal.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind dismissed the petition filed by one Veramachaneni Raghavendra Prasad, saying “By the very nature of the subject matter of grievance and prayer made it is evident that the subject matter travels in the realm of executive action for enforcement of rule or law by enacting them by competent law making authority. The court would not like to enter into the area of executive functions.”

Further the court noted that petitioner, though claimed that he was an agriculturist and social activist, was having a dealership for running sale and service centre for a tractor company.

The court said, “This smacks of lack of bonafide of the petitioner as a public interest litigation.” Accordingly it imposed a cost of Rs 5,000, to be paid to the Karnataka High Court Legal Services Authority.

The counsel for the petitioner had argued that displaying MRP will prevent the exploitation of innocent agriculturalists by dealers. The petitioner had also sought directions to the respondents to ensure that every agricultural machinery, equipment and mechanical products which have been used by the agriculturists on daily basis should come out from the factory with price tag (selling price) and stickers. The MRP and selling price list of all companies of all the models should be available at district and taluka/tehsil level agricultural offices in every state all over the India, it was prayed.

Further, to prevent monopoly and unfair practice of tractor companies, the government must fix a capping/sealing on the raising the MRP of tractor(s), the plea further sought.

It was also informed to the court that a representation with the above prayers was made to the Prime Minister of India.

Following which the court said “The petition does not book any merit for its consideration of prayers. Even the representation is misguided as it is not addressed to the proper authority. While dismissing the petition it is open for the petitioner to make appropriate representation to the competent authority, which may be considered by the authority in accordance with law."

Case Title: Veermachaneni Raghavendra Prasad AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 25025/2024

Citation No: 2024 LiveLaw (Kar) 439