Big move by Railways: No more service charge on food not opted while booking tickets in Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat

In a bid to provide some relief to commoners from rising prices, the Ministry of Railways has announced to scrap the service charge provision applicable on the ticket while choosing the meal in premium trains -- Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, and Vande Bharat.

The Railway Board in a circular sent to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Monday pointed out that the prices are inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and hence there will be no service charge. The decision is likely to make ordering food on the train cheaper.

“Those passengers who do not select the option of eating while booking their train ticket, will not have to pay the service charge,” according to the official notification.

Facilities like water and tea among others can be availed at normal cost, although the breakfast and food will be expensive, the notification further read.

The Railways swung into action after passengers complained through Twitter about paying extra for tea and water, despite opting for the meal while booking a train ticket.  

The CCPA (Central Consumer. Protection Authority) earlier this month barred hotels and restaurants from levying service charges automatically or by default on food bills and allowed customers to file complaints in case of violation and issued guidelines for preventing unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights about levying of service charge.

Restaurants and hotels generally levy a service charge of 10 per cent on the food bill, according to news agency PTI report.

Zee Business had earlier flagged the concerns of consumers, prompting the government to intervene.