Lok Sabha Question No. 80 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Irregularities in Catering Contracts
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH, REKHA ARUN VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.80 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## IRREGULARITIES IN CATERING CONTRACTS

- †*80. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  cases  of  fraud/irregularities  have  come  to  the  notice  and complaints have also been received in the name of granting extension in the catering contracts in various States of the country including Madhya Pradesh;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  action  taken  in  this  regard, State/UT-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  done  any  evaluation  of  the  loss  of revenue caused to the railways each year due to the said scam; if so, the details including estimated loss as a result thereof, the reaction of the Government thereto and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  also  received  complaints  against private catering firms/companies/agencies regarding charging of higher prices  over  and  above  the  prescribed  prices  of  various  items  and  the violation  of  guidelines/approved  contracts  during  the  last  three  years; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  names  of  the  catering firms/agencies involved in such irregularities against whom investigation has been undertaken and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  80  BY  SHRI  UDAY  PRATAP  SINGH  AND  SHRIMATI  REKHA VERMA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  20.12.2017  REGARDING IRREGULARITIES IN CATERING CONTRACTS

(a) : No, Madam.

(b) : Does not arise.

(c) : There is no loss of revenue to the Railways.

(d):  In  its  endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to the passengers, 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. Year-wise total number of complaints including those against private catering firms/companies  /Agencies  regarding  charging  of  Higher  Prices  of  various items  and  the  violation  of  guidelines/approved  contracts,  received  by  the Railways  for  charging  more  than  the  prescribed  prices  and  violation  of guidelines during the last three years, year-wise are as under:-

(01.04.2017 to

|               | Year wise No. of Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   | Year wise No. of Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   | Year wise No. of Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   | Year wise No. of Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   |
|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Head          | 2014-15                                                                         | 2015-16                                                                         | 2016 -17                                                                        | 2017-18 (01.04.2017 to 31.10.2017) (7 Months)                                   |
| Over Charging | 1403                                                                            | 2809                                                                            | 4156                                                                            | 2890                                                                            |
| Quality       | 3249                                                                            | 3032                                                                            | 2464                                                                            | 1059                                                                            |
| Quantity      | 404                                                                             | 237                                                                             | 243                                                                             | 117                                                                             |
| Misbehaviour  | 215                                                                             | 216                                                                             | 217                                                                             | 137                                                                             |
| Hygiene       | 116                                                                             | 158                                                                             | 302                                                                             | 138                                                                             |
| Miscellaneous | 1668                                                                            | 2256                                                                            | 3055                                                                            | 1324                                                                            |
| Total         | 7055                                                                            | 8708                                                                            | 10437                                                                           | 5665                                                                            |

Contd..2/-

(01.04.2017 to

|                   | Year wise Action Taken on Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   | Year wise Action Taken on Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   | Year wise Action Taken on Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   | Year wise Action Taken on Complaints related to catering services over Indian Railways   |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Head              | 2014-15                                                                                  | 2015-16                                                                                  | 2016 -17                                                                                 | 2017-18 (01.04.2017 to 31.10.2017)                                                       |
| Fined             | 2829                                                                                     | 3568                                                                                     | 3882                                                                                     | 2505                                                                                     |
| Warned            | 2438                                                                                     | 2684                                                                                     | 2288                                                                                     | 1305                                                                                     |
| Termination       | 3                                                                                        | 2                                                                                        | 2                                                                                        | 12                                                                                       |
| Suitably Advised  | 638                                                                                      | 938                                                                                      | 649                                                                                      | 440                                                                                      |
| Not Substantiated | 465                                                                                      | 664                                                                                      | 532                                                                                      | 394                                                                                      |
| D & AR Action     | 108                                                                                      | 15                                                                                       | 21                                                                                       | 4                                                                                        |
| Any Other         | 574                                                                                      | 837                                                                                      | 1113                                                                                     | 1005                                                                                     |
| Total             | 7055                                                                                     | 8708                                                                                     | 10437                                                                                    | 5665                                                                                     |

(e): No, Madam. No investigation is going on. Suitable penal action has been initiated as per extant provisions depending on the gravity of the lapse.

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