Railways defends move to push for Rail Neer sales

NEW DELHI: The Centre has defended its decision to push the sales of bottled drinking water ‘Rail Neer’ at railway stations and premium trains, claiming that vendors

NEW DELHI: The Centre has defended its decision to push the sales of bottled drinking water ‘Rail Neer’ at railway stations and premium trains, claiming that vendors were not opting for the state-owned packaged drinking water.

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The Centre claimed Rail Neer’s manufacturer the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) had to incur losses because the vendors were not choosing the brand.

In a detailed affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Railways denied the claim that Rail Neer was substandard and said it amounted to just 10% of the total sales of bottled water, leaving enough room for other brands.

The submission comes in response to Indian Railway Caterers Association challenging the two notifications, directing contractors and caterers to sell only Rail Neer. In May the SC had allowed the petitioners to sell bottled water other than Rail Neer.

Railways said between 2012 and 2014 IRCTC sold around 11 crore bottles every year and catered to 10% of the estimated demand. However, in 2014-15 the production of the bottles dropped because the static and mobile licensees chose other brands.

“The stall holders such as the members of the petitioner association are legally bound to sell only such items as directed by the Railways and thus they can have no grievance,” read the affidavit.