IRCTC
Excess/Wrong charging of food rates

Dear Sir,

Sub: Excess/Wrong charging of food rates

This is to inform you that I had traveled from Jaipur to Howrah in Train No.2308 on 22/08 and experienced the below incidents during my travel and was astonished to find that even after the directive of the India Railways the IRCTC people charging higher prices of food/edible products.

Incident 1

At the Mughalsaria station there is an IRCTC counter (on Platform No.2 near the Inspector’s Rest House) selling food/edible products.

It was around 3.00 PM in the afternoon and it was pretty hot as such I went to purchase a bottle of Cold Drink. I asked the price of 1 bottle of 400ml Cold Drink he told me it is Rs.25/-. I paid him the money.

I had purchased the same bottle at the Jaipur Station for Rs.20/- from an IRCTC counter. As such I checked the prices written over the IRCTC counter (at Mughalsarai) and found that it is written – “ Cold Drinks – MRP ”. I then checked the price on the bottle, Rs.22/- was printed. I again enquired at the counter and was blatantly told that the price is Rs.25/- I protested and informed him that it is written as “MRP” over the counter. On saying so he got moonstruck and immediately returned Rs.3/-.

But on the side he was continuously selling the bottle at Rs.25/-. Generally everybody are in a hurry when they alight from the train on stations to purchase food, but IRCTC people knowingly duping customers is absolutely wrong and unethical.

Incident 2

While traveling in the above train I had ordered for a Veg dinner to the Pantry guy on 22/08/09. After I had finished the dinner the person (Dilip Singh) turned up to collect the tray as well as the money. I asked him the charges of the same and was amazed to listen as I was asked to pay Rs.60/-

I told him that I was aware about the railway rates and I had paid Rs.32/- when I was traveling from Howrah to Jodhpur. But he consistently demanded Rs.60/-. I then asked him to show the rate chart but he refused to show the same. Finally he took Rs.32/- and said a lot bad things and challenged us to complain to anybody. I asked him to get the complain book but he refused to bring the same.

I fail to understand how these things happening without any fear. These people think themselves that they are above law. I hope railway will take stern action to stop these kind of filthy behaviour/services given to customers.

These small impediments should be completely stopped so that the high level of service and standard of the Indian Railways can be maintained. Also the efforts of the Railway Ministry to make it one of the biggest and most customer friendly service can be achieved.

Being an responsible citizen of our country I presume that it is my duty to bring to your notice these issues to help you to help us to make better and efficient railway.

Please set an example so that each and every person attached with the Railways thinks twice before doing any wrong to any customer in terms of service or behaviour.

Hoping for some urgent action in the above matter.

Regards,

Pankaj Paharia