Title - Railways gets tough on erring food vendors, to slap fine of Rs 5k - The Times of India

NASHIK: Railway authorities have decided to take tough measures against erring food vendors at the Nashik Road railway station and have warned defaulters that they would be fined Rs 5,000 for violation of catering norms.

Taking note of cases of food contractors fleecing commuters, the railway officials have issued a notice to stall owners asking them to stick to the norms related to supplying of snacks and drinks or else face punitive action.

The action by the railways has come a week after this newspaper wrote about food vendors fleecing passengers at the Nashik Road railway station.

A notice issued by the station manager pointed out that the vendors or stall owners who were found compromising on quality or quantity or failed to make the Rs 10-'janata khana' available during specific timings of the day, would be fined Rs 5,000 on the spot.

"Hitherto, the station superintendant or the commercial inspector would issue a notice to us if either of them was convinced there was some issue with the supplies and at the same time they would send information to the divisional railway manager, Bhusawal, who would in-turn levy penalty. We were surprised to see the note circulated Monday and Tuesday that warned about 'on the spot' penalty," one of the vendors said.

When contacted, the divisional railway manager, railways, Bhusawal, Mahesh Gupta, said that his office was in receipt of a few complaints and there were some reports in the media as well. "During a recent visit I tried to verify the facts. Though I did not find anything, I have asked the officials to ensure that passenger amenities are not compromised upon and hence the provision of 'on the spot' fine," Gupta said.

The Indian railways promises 'janata khana' for Rs 10 per box that contains four puris, a sabji (total 250 gm) and pickle, 170-ml tea for Rs 5, mineral drinking water bottle for Rs 12, etc. But the stall owners provide tea between 90 ml and 120 ml only, or overcharge the mineral drinking water bottles. Some even fail to make 'janata khana' available.