LUDHIANA: To address the complaints of passengers relating to overcharging on daily food items being sold by different food stalls and trolleys inside the station premises, the Northern Railways has released a set instructions to all food vendors about the steps they have to take for the betterment of passengers, or else face action in the form of heavy penalties.The local commercial department has got an official letter from the Northern Railway Board, in which they have mentioned that local railway officials have asked all food stall vendors to put up a notice board mentioning the rates of food items — specified by the railways — being sold at their stalls, so that overcharging comes down to some extent. Moreover, they have asked vendors to publish the complaint number of the Northern Railway Board on top of the stall, so that passengers can easily register their complaints, and preventive measures can be taken.The railways have also asked the food stalls that all the items being sold by them must contain the FSSAI food code, so that a passenger can avail their service without any hesitation. Meanwhile, railway sources said: “Due to an increase in the complaints of overcharging by food vendors, the railways has issued a set of strict guidelines, asking local officials to conduct proper checking to verify whether the orders have been implemented or not.”Ludhiana railway station director Abhinav Singla said: “The railway board has issued a set of strict guidelines to vendors and catering service providers, so that overcharging and other issues related to bad quality of food items being sold by them will go down to some extent. Local railway officials will ensure the implementation of proper guidelines, and if someone is found not applying norms properly, then appropriate action will be taken against them as per the norms for better future results.”A passenger can contact the toll-free number of Indian Railways (1800-111-321) for registering a complaint against the vendor charging an excessive amount on food items at the station. Passengers can complain on 138 or 182 of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) about expired food items, and also on the Twitter handle of the Indian Railways for swift action.

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