Relief for passengers: Indian Railway reduces price on 'Rail Neer'

New Delhi: The Railway Board has reduced the price of its packaged drinking water brand, "Rail Neer", by Re 1, PTI reported.

A circular issued by the board on Saturday and addressed to all zonal railways and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said, "Maximum retail price of packaged drinking water 'Rail Neer' shall be revised from Rs 15 to Rs 14 per bottle of one litre and Rs 10 to Rs 9 per bottle of 500 ml capacity."

"Maximum retail price of IRCTC/Railways shortlisted packaged drinking water bottle of other brands sold in railway premises/trains shall also be revised from Rs 15 to Rs 14 per bottle of one litre and Rs 10 to Rs 9 per bottle of 500 ml capacity," it added.

The circular said the revised prices will apply from September 22.

NDTV reports that the railway is passing on the benefits of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms to the passengers. According to the news agency, the GST will be a two-tier structure and the majority of goods and services will attract tax of 5 and 18 per cent, effective from September 22. Further, a 40 per cent tax will be levied on ultra-luxury items. In the case of tobacco and related products, they will continue in the 28 per cent plus cess category.

GST is currently levied in four slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, while a compensation cess is levied on luxury items and demerit or sin goods.

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