Lok Sabha Question No. 844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Scarcity of Safe Drinking Water
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS, Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## SCARCITY OF SAFE DRINKING WATER

†844. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS: SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether there is scarcity of safe drinking water and quality food in trains;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Railways  to  resolve  such  type  of problems being faced by passengers;
- (c)  whether  the  license  of  such  contractors  who  are  not  providing  quality food in the trains are being cancelled; and
- (d)  if so, the details of the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  No, Madam.

(b): In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food and drinking water to  the  passengers  through  pantry  cars,  train  side  vending,  e-catering &  static  catering  unit  at  stations,  Indian  Railways  have  developed  and operationalized an institutionalized mechanism for monitoring of quality and hygiene of catering services through regular inspections at various levels to address catering complaints. Further, to improve the standard of food being provided  to  passengers  in  trains,  new Catering  Policy has been issued on

Contd..2/-

27 th   February,  2017  wherein inter-alia 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. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones.  Further, instructions have been issued  to  provide  optional  catering  service,  as  a  pilot  project,  on  32 Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto  trains  under  the  management  of  Indian  Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) w.e.f.  01/08/2017 for an initial  period  of  180  days.  Further  steps  being  taken  to  ensure  that  good quality and hygienic food is served to the passengers are:- (i) Introduction of station  based  E-Catering  for  widening  the  range  of  options  available  to passengers for ordering food of their choice. (ii) Introduction of precooked food ('ready to eat' meals) in the range of options available to passengers. (iii)  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.  (iv)  Imposition  of  penalties  in  case  of  deficiencies  detected  in services.  (v)  Operation  of  all  India  Helpline  (No.138)  for  rail-users  to  lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services (vi) A  Twitter handle  @  IRCATERING  has  also  been  made  operational  to  cater  to  the complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.

(c)  & (d): A policy of zero tolerance towards poor quality of food served to passengers  and  overcharging  is  being  followed  and  during  the  current Financial Year (i.e. April to October' 2017), 12 catering contracts have been terminated for complaint related to catering or other contractual deficiencies.

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