‘No bill-food is free’ policy at Ambala Cantt station

Nitish Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Ambala, January 6

In order to eradicate the complaints of overcharging, the railways has implemented the ‘No bill- the food is free’ policy at the Ambala Cantonment Railway Station.

BS Gill, station director, said “The policy has been introduced by the ministry to eradicate the complaints of overcharging. Stickers have been pasted on all catering stalls to make the public aware that if the bill is not provided, the food is free. It is mandatory for the vendors and stall owners to provide a bill to the customer. Also, POS machines are being provided and the number of vendors is being increased.”

While the passengers at the railway station appreciated the move, there was a mixed response from the vendors.

A salesman at a vending stall said: “Implementing the ‘No Bill-the food is free’ policy is not practical as most of the trains halt for a few minutes only and it wouldn’t be easy to give bill to every customer as everyone remains in a hurry. The salesmen at the catering stalls will face inconvenience due to this policy as there is a limited time to cater to all passengers.”

Praveen Kumar, a canteen operator at the station, said “It is a good thing and the passengers shouldn’t be overcharged for food.”

Sanjeev Kumar, a passenger, said “It is a welcome move as earlier there were differences between the price printed on the food packets and money charged by the vendors.”

Another passenger said there was a need to educate passengers too, as normally people do not ask for the bill and vendors avoid giving it until someone asks repeatedly.

Hari Mohan, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Ambala Division, said “The policy is being implemented at every catering stall and unit across the division. Stickers are being pasted on packets. The vendors are being asked to give bill and the passengers must ask for it. The move is aimed at protecting passengers from overcharging.”

To check overcharging

"The policy is being implemented at every catering stall and unit across the division. Stickers are being pasted on packets. The vendors are asked to give bill and the passengers must ask for it. The move is aimed at protecting passengers from overcharging." Hari Mohan, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Ambala Division