Vending contractor issued notice after video shows vendor coming out of toilet with beverage

The railways today said it sent a showcause notice to a vending contractor after a video went viral on social media showing a vendor coming out of a train toilet with tea/coffee cans.

In a statement, the railways said that in addition to the Rs one lakh fine, it has also asked the contractor to explain why its services should not be terminated.

The incident had occurred in Train No. 12759 Chennai Central Hyderabad Charminar Express at Secunderabad railway station in December 2017.

"An inquiry has been held to identify the wrong doers. Stringent action has been taken up against the vending contractor for the section between Secunderabad and Kazipet, P Siva Prasad, with whom the vendor in the video was employed. A penalty of Rs one lakh has been levied on the licensee, through IRCTC, the contracting agency.

"A show cause note has also been issued to M/s P Siva Prasad, Licensee, Train Side Vending as to why his contract for train vending... should not be terminated. An explanation has been called within 15 days from the issue of notice," said the statement.

Two other people seen in the video are unauthorized hawkers.

The Commercial Department of South Central Railway has been carrying on extensive drives against unauthorised hawking at Secunderabad Railway Station in the last few months, under which all the unauthorized hawkers, including the two involved in the incident, have been removed, it said.