IRCTC

Central Railway

Pawan Express

Items bought were tea, water bottles, biscuits & cakes

CR andofficials conduct inspections on two-long distance trains and find the catering staff still refusing to issue bills to passengers.The railways is walking the talk on its ‘no bill-food free’ policy. Rahul Himalian, the newly-appointed group general manager of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), west zone, conducted surprise checks on two long-distance trains on Wednesday and refunded 24 passengers who were not given bills for their purchase of food items on two long-distance trains.Himalian—accompanied by Robin Kalia, senior divisional commercial manager (works),, and other staff—checked Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Darbhanga(11061) and Lucknow-CSMT Pushpak Express (12533). Two passengers in Pawan Express and 22 in Pushpak Express were not issued bills. AC coaches reported 95 per cent compliance and non-AC ones 50 per cent. The food items bought were primarily tea, water bottles, biscuits and cakes.Himalian, who took charge on July 12, ordered immediate refunds.Kamar Jahan, a 60-resident of Kanpur who was in Pushpak Express, said the team headed by Himalian enquired if she had been given a bill for a packet of biscuits, a water bottle and a cup of tea she had bought for Rs 45. “When I said that I wasn’t, they called the catering staff and ordered them to return my money.” Jahan said she had no clue about the railways’ new policy.Thane resident Rakesh Singh, 45, was also pleasantly surprised to get his money back. “The catering staff often overcharge for water bottles and tea. “Such inspections are required at regular intervals to ensure that the catering staff toe the line,” he asserted.The ‘no bill-food free’ policy came into effect on March 31 last year, but its enforcement in Mumbai division picked up pace only recently. Passengers must ask for bills when making any purchase at railway station stalls or in trains, even if it’s only a cup of coffee.From April-October last year, there were over 7,000 complaints of overcharging of food on trains across the country.The inspections on Pushpak Express and Pawan Express were conducted jointly by the Central Railway and the IRCTC. Officials said more such checks are on the cards.