Lok Sabha Question No. 4347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Essential Features of New Catering Policy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4347

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF NEW CATERING POLICY

## 4347. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the essential features of the new catering policy formed by IRCTC this year;
- (b) the  steps  the  Government  has  taken  to  upgrade  the  quality  of  food served on trains;
- (c) the  number  of  stations  that  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 thereof?

## 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 Contd..3/-

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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