If you thought food and beverages on Indian Railways are subsidised, then this might shock you. A passenger was left stunned after being charged Rs 70 for a cup of tea during the train journey.?
When a passenger bought tea on a train, he had to pay a service charge of Rs 50 for a cup worth Rs 20. So, it cost him Rs 70 for a cup of chai. The person took to Twitter and shared a picture of the bill for that tea.?
The passenger, who was travelling on the Bhopal Shatabdi train running between Delhi and Bhopal on June 28, shared a photo containing two tax invoices of one tea each. ¡°GST of Rs 50 on tea worth Rs 20. Altogether, a tea is worth Rs 70. Isn't it an amazing loot?¡± they wrote.?
As per the passenger, they made a series of complaints to IRCTC, who provides catering service on the railways. However, the complaints fell on deaf ears.?
A social media user, however, corrected him and said that it is not GST, only the service charge has been levied.
People were left shocked at the price of the tea and many said that the service charge of Rs 50 for a cup of tea is too much.?
As per India Today, citing railway officials, no extra money was from the customer. In fact, the officials have given a reason for the same.?
A circular issued back in 2018 by Indian Railways categorically states that when a passenger does not book a meal while making a reservation in trains like Rajdhani or Shatabdi, then a service charge of Rs 50 has to be paid for ordering tea, coffee or food during the journey.?
Earlier food service was mandatory on trains like Rajdhani or Shatabdi, but in 2017, the service was made optional.?
During the booking of ticket through?IRCTC, a passenger can now opt out of the catering facility as there are three options for meal ¡ª veg, non-veg and no food.? ?
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