The Hidden Commission

This June I was travelling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in a second class AC of a Summer Special Train. As it was quite hot, so to beat the heat I purchased one Pepsi can and an Amul Flavored Milk. After the purchase was done, I asked the vendor for the price. To my astonishment, he replied 80 Rs and this really took me by surprise. The usual price of the same combination costs not more than 45 Rs (25 for Pepsi can and 20 for Amul Milk).

Earlier as a kid, the hiked price didn’t bother me, because Dad used to pay for the same. This time when I had to pay, then I realised what the matter was. The hawkers erase the MRP or Maximum Retail Price of these goods, so that passengers can’t object for the raised prices. The commuters are forced to pay the double prices on their purchases. There have been cases in the past on the same issue. These vendors and hawkers are not at all bothered, how much this ‘extra’ price hurts passenger.

This extra price is nothing but an Hidden Commission of the Vendors. Per purchase they earn a good amount of money and at the end of the day, a huge amount of money is earned in the name of this commission. This is not paid to the Indian Railways, but it goes directly into the wallets of vendors.

The Government and the Railway Ministry should look into this matter and stop all such kind of these activities. So just guess how much unpaid money is there with the vendors at the end of a year. Strict actions should be taken so that this doesn’t hurt the pockets of passengers. This extra money can be a root cause for black money and illegal cash savings. By stopping this, we can put a full-stop to corruption and black money at the very root level. This money might be an easy source of income for the vendors, but its a hard-earned money for the passenger, who has to forcefully pay this extra cash for no good reason.

It is the responsibility of we, the citizens to put a cap on the corruption at the very root level, so that its virus doesn’t hamper the nation. We should also show firm resistance towards extra payment for the goods beyond MRP, not only in Railways but also everywhere.