Tamil Nadu: Forum backs railways in issue of vendor nuisance

Action was taken against 6,200 vendors for selling various products in trains, railway stations and platforms.

Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North) dismissed a petition highlighting the menace of unauthorised persons during journeys in trains.  
In his petition, S. Jayaraman of R.S. Puram, Coimbatore submitted that he used to travel on the Intercity Super Fast train from Coimbatore to Chennai often. Beggars and vendors were harassing the passengers who faced hardship and were unable to sleep peacefully during the journey. He said though vendors may have season tickets they are not allowed to enter reserved compartments and yet but they travel in the reserved compartments and sell various products. Jayaraman sent complaints to the Railway authorities on February 12, 2010, and September 18, 2015, highlighting the issue and stop the menace. As there was no action, he filed the petition seeking direction to order a compensation of Rs 1.10 lakh to him for negligence in service and causing him mental agony.
In its reply, the Manager, Passenger Care Centre, Southern Railway submitted that the Railway has taken severe action and prevented entry of unauthorised persons in reserved compartments. Action was taken against 6,200 vendors for selling various products in trains, railway stations and platforms. Similarly 2,700 beggars were removed from trains and 3,100 beggars removed from railway stations. 
Over 150 beggars were admitted in rehabilitation centres and cases were registered against 1,050 transsexuals for causing a disturbance in trains and railway stations.  
Concurring with the submission of the manager, bench comprising president K. Jayabalan and member M. Uyirroli Kannan stated that the petitioner has failed to prove the allegation and dismissed the petition.