The Bombay high court on Wednesday asked Indian Railways to file a reply to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) questioning why it allows the sale of only one brand of mineral water.
The Bombay high court on Wednesday asked Indian Railways to file a reply to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) questioning why it allows the sale of only one brand of mineral water.
A division bench of justice N.H. Patil and justice M.S. Sonak asked the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation as to why when it can allow different varieties of food, it cannot allow sale of different brands of mineral water. The court was hearing a PIL filed by commuter, Lopesh Vora, challenging IRCTC’s decision to allow sale of only Rail Neer packaged drinking water at railway stations and on trains. Mr Vora said the decision is against his fundamental right which allows him to choose whatever he wants to consume. “Why should one compulsorily buy a one litre bottle Moreover, one does not know if the Rail Neer water is of good quality,” he said.
IRCTC’s advocate Usha Srivastava said the decision to keep only one brand of packaged water is because Rail Neer is not being bought, resulting in huge losses. She also said it is a way to prevent people from carrying their own water. Meanwhile, the court ruled, “If food of different brands and varieties is available at railway stations, then why not water You should allow other brands. If the railways’ contention is that IRCTC is facing losses then one bottle can be given complimentary with each ticket booked, which will encourage people to buy it.”
