Lok Sabha Question No. 2559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: New Catering Policy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LAKHAN LAL SAHU, KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2559

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## NEW CATERING POLICY

†2559.SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU: SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  zone-wise  number  and  names  of  multinational  corporations  and agencies assigned under New Catering Policy, 2017 since its implementation till now;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  trains  in  which  new  agencies  have  been  assigned catering under the said policy;
- (c) whether the new agencies are allegedly focussing on earning more and more profit without paying attention towards public interest and if so, the steps taken by the Railways to make this catering policy people friendly;
- (d) whether these companies have to pay a large amount of money to the Railways and if so, the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  initiated  to recover the outstanding amount from them; and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken to make the catering services more efficient?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) :  No  contracts  have  been  assigned  to  any  Multinational  corporations and agencies under new Catering Policy, 2017.

(b):  As  per  new  Catering  Policy,  2017,  Indian  Railway  Catering  and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) is managing 331 Duronto, Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Mail Express trains.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

(e):  New Catering Policy issued on 27 th  February 2017 inter-alia stipulates that Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been  mandated  to  carry  out  the  unbundling  by  creating  a  distinction primarily  between  food  preparation  and  food  distribution  on  trains.  In order  to  upgrade  quality  of  food  preparation,  IRCTC  is  to  set  up  new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. Zonal Railways are to manage minor static units (catering stall /milk stalls/ trolleys etc.) except base kitchens and  kitchen  units.  Steps  being  taken  to  ensure  that  good  quality  and hygienic food is served to the passengers as per prescribed rate inter-alia include  (i)  optional  catering  service  has  been  introduced  as  a  pilot project, on 32 Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains  under  the  management of  IRCTC    w.e.f.    01.08.2017  for  an  initial  period  of  180  days.  (ii) Introduction of station based E-Catering for widening the range of options available  to  passengers  for  ordering  food  of  their  choice.  (iii)  Pilot  for introduction  of  precooked  food  ('ready  to  eat'  meals)  in  the  range  of options  available  to  passengers.  (iv)  Operation  of  centralized  Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) (toll free number 1800-111-321) for prompt redressal of passenger grievances relating to the catering activities and real time assistance to travelling public. (v) Instruction has been issued to ensure stickers bearing price, grammage, date of packing etc. are pasted on food packets (vi) Price list stickers are displayed in the pantry car and pasted in coaches. (vii) service providers are advised to ensure that the vendor are carrying menu card while taking orders. (viii) Operation of all India  Helpline  (No.138)  for  rail-users  to  lodge  complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services (ix) A Twitter handle @ IRCATERING has  also  been  made  operational  to  cater  to  the  complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.

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