Lok Sabha Question No. 3195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Quality of Food
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3195 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## QUALITY OF FOOD

## 3195. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the essential features of the new catering policy;
- (b)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  upgrade  the  quality  of  food served on trains;
- (c) the number of stations which have successfully implemented the new catering policy;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  take  action  against  stations serving expired food or food unfit for human consumption; and
- (e) if so, the details of action taken/ proposed to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  New  Catering  Policy  was  notified  on  27  February  2017,  with  the objective  of  providing  quality  food  to  rail  passengers,  by  unbundling catering services on trains, and creating a primary distinction between food preparation and food distribution in trains. The essential features of the  New  Catering  Policy  2017,  inter-alia  includes:-  (i)  Indian  Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) shall manage catering service  on  all  mobile  units  and  meals  will  be  picked  from  nominated kitchens.  (ii)  The  setting  up/  development/  refurbishment  of  new  or existing  Base  Kitchens/Kitchen  units  will  be  undertaken  by  IRCTC.

These  modern,  state  of  the  art  kitchens  will  be  owned,  operated  and managed  by  IRCTC.  (iii)  IRCTC  shall  engage  service  providers  from hospitality industry for service of food in trains. (iv) IRCTC to involve/empanel Self Help groups for providing catering related services. (v)  Zonal  railways  shall  manage  minor  static  unit  (catering  stall  /milk stalls/ trolleys etc). (vi) Allotments of General Minor Units at all category stations  will  be  done  through  competitive  open  tendering  system  by divisions.  (vii) For the purpose of allotment, a Refreshment Room (at B and below category of stations) or a stall or a trolley to be deemed as one  unit.    As  such,  a  single  unit  is  to  be  awarded  through  a  single license. (viii) 33 % sub quota for women in allotment of each category of minor catering units at all category of station to be provided.

(b):  Steps taken/ being taken to ensure that good quality and hygienic food is served to the passengers 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. (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) 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): Allotment of  catering contracts by IRCTC and Zonal Railways under the framework of Catering Policy 2017 is an on-going process,  as per the  need  and  requirement  of  catering  services.  At  present  IRCTC  is managing  334  pairs  of  Duronto,  Rajdhani,  Shatabdi  and  Mail/Express trains and 223 static units. (d)  &  (e):    Providing  quality  and  hygienic  food  under  both  mobile  and static catering units is the aim of the Railways. Checking of quality and quantity of food is an integral part of its inspection, which is being done regularly by Railway officials. All complaints are dealt strictly and action including  monitory  penalty,  debarring  and  termination  of  contract  is taken  as  per  the  gravity  of  the  complaint  and  decisions  are  taken  on case to case basis.

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