Journalist conned by tea vendor for Rs 10; IRCTC takes prompt action, delivers money in train

IRCTC took swift action against a tea vendor and returned money to a journalist after he shared his ordeal on Twitter while travelling on a train.

Image: Twitter

In a praiseworthy incident, IRCTC acted swiftly after a Twitter complaint against a tea vendor and returned the money back to a journalist after he narrated his ordeal of getting conned while taking a train journey. As per a tweet, a journalist was travelling on an Indian Railways train when he asked for a cup of tea from a vendor. While the cup of tea costs Rs 10, the man paid the vendor a Rs 20 note. The tea seller said he doesn't have change and will return Rs 10 in a while, but failed to return back the money to the journalist. When chased for money, the journalist was informed by other vendors that this tea seller has a habit of conning people on the trains in the name of returning back the money. Since it's a small amount, travellers usually give up the chase. 

@IRCTCofficial @IRCTCofficial IRCTC Tea Vender looting people?
Purchased tea for 10. Paid 20. The vender said will return and pay back the change. But it didn't happen. The question is not only getting back the money. The question is how many Rs 10 are going into his pocket?

— pritam saha (@Pritam_Journo) January 13, 2023

One of the tea vendors then asked the journalist to involve RPF and complain to the IRCTC about the incident. Following which, he narrated the matter of Twitter, "The question is not only getting back the money. The question is how many Rs 10 are going into his pocket?" Basically, the journalist pointed out the lack of ethics of the tea seller, stating, “IRCTC Tea Vender looting people?" He further stated that other tea vendors are also aware of misdeeds done by the tea seller.

When contacted, Pritam Saha, said, "Other vendors insisted that I should share a tweet mentioning the whole incident tagging IRCTC. They even followed up with me three to four times till I finally tweeted. They said, due to this person, they are facing the anger of passengers everyday, but can't do anything."

He was travelling on train no. 12312 Netaji Express from Ghaziabad to Howrah and the incident happened just ahead of Prayagraj Junction. After posting the incident on Twitter, IRCTC’s official Twitter handle asked for his mobile number and PNR details. Upon sharing them, Pritam did receive his money back in a short time.

Not only did IRCTC take prompt action and returned the remaining amount to the journalist at his seat itself, a manager of the IRCTC personally came to meet Pritam Saha, the journalist and brought the said tea vendor with him, asking Saha to identify him.

The vendor then accepted his fault in front of the IRCTC manager, RPF and other passengers, following which, he was asked to get down from the train at the Prayagaraj Junction.