Campaign against consumer exploitation by IRCTC

Mangalore Today News Network

By Narendra Nayak

Mangaluru, Feb 2, 2023: IRCTC is one of the top food catering enterprises of the nation having almost a monopoly on catering on many trains. These operations are run by contractors.

In running trains particularly long ones with limited halts the passengers have to depend exclusively on their services. Due to the monopoly that is enjoyed this has become a source of exploitation of the traveller as well as depriving crores of GST payable to the govt. Though every packet of packed food should bear a stamp with the MRP and also a slogan that if there is no bill the food is free, bills are rarely issued and the suppliers charge huge amounts from the end users who are not knowing what the actual rates are. Though the caterers are required to maintain printed menus, they hide them.

 

Two recent experiences are here for all to see and also the efforts of IRCTC to brush the issue under the carpet:

I was travelling from Mangalore to Erode by train no.12686 and ordered for egg curry with chapathis with the irctc employee who came soliciting orders. The same was delivered and when the price was asked it was told as Rs.90. Growing suspicious I checked the cover of the packet(photo enclosed) which had only a stamp of MRP which was blank. When I asked for the bill, I was told to pay first and then I would get it. But, I insisted on the bill which came after nearly an hour and it was Rs.50!

The man who brought it whose name later turned out to be Rajiv told me that the price was Rs.80 though the bill was for nearly half the amount! When I told him I would pay the amount mentioned on the bill and not a paisa more, he accepted the same. In the meanwhile, a couple on the opposite berths overheard the conversation. They had pair Rs.90 each for the same and demanded their money back which was promptly returned and we were requested not to proceed further with the matter! When this was brought to the attention of IRCTC a reply brushing aside the whole thing was given(screen shot attached). This attitude is condemnable and I complained to higher ups including the railway minister. When the complaint was made on the next day I had a call from the same Sri Rajiv cell no.9179464354 who tried to explain why they were doing so!
   
When this was posted on FB there were lot of responses showing that this was not an isolated instance. Something which happened on the vistadrome compartment of train 16576 was brought to my attention. The passengers had ordered veg biryani for lunch and were asked to pay Rs.110 and when they insisted on the bill the waiter obfuscated and finally agreed that the cost was only Rs.80 and returned the excess amount collected and begged them not to lodge complaints.(video attached). The packages of the item had no price stamped on them and it did not contain what was mentioned on the menu too because the menu mentioned curd, pickle, salad the packet had only salad along with the biryani.

Just imagine the degree of cheating that is going on,5% GST to be paid to the govt as the bills are not made, randomly inflated charges varying from 80% to 60% on MRP.

The huge loss is caused to the govt as well consumers and a racket going on this name. I request all such affected post their experiences to IRCTC web site and mark a copy to the railway minister and #irctc official.

Narendra Nayak is President of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations