Rly issues circular to use kulhad; caterers not keen

In its bid to fulfil the budgetory provisions made in last year's railway budget, Mumbai Division of Western Railway has issued a circular to catering licensees in the division to keep 'kulhad' (clay cups) for serving tea at stations.
The circular issued by Commercial department on May 25, however, does not mention any date for implementation of the circular.
Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division, WR, Mukul Jain, said that kulhad is optional and is being propagated with a view as it is environment friendly.
"Licensees are not forced to keep kulhad with them, it is upto them to keep bring it in use or not," he said.

The circular binds station masters to inform about the use of kulhad to all the catering licensees.
The move has, however, not gone well with railway caterers who are opposing the use of kulkad, stating that it will create sanitation issues and is not cost effective.
A canteen contractor on condition of anonymity said, "This move is totally foolish. Not only it will create sanitation problems at stations, it will hike the cost of tea."
A paper or plastic cup, disposable cup costs around 50 to 70 paise, while a Kulhad costs around Rs 2-3 which will be a burden to costumers," he said.