Lok Sabha Question No. 2777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Complaints of Corruption in IRCTC
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## COMPLAINTS OF CORRUPTION IN IRCTC

†2777. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  remove corruption in IRCTC;
- (b) the reasons for not taking action on the complaints given by Members of Parliament,  Members  of  Legislative  Assembly  and  public  representatives against mobile catering clusters allotted by IRCTC;
- (c)  the  reasons  for  awarding  more  than  80  per  cent  contracts  in  cluster-A Khanpan trains to only one family;
- (d)  the  reasons  for  allotting  contracts  to  big  contractors  by  IRCTC  in contradiction of rules despite criminal cases are pending against them;
- (e) the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (f)  whether  only  one  affidavit  is  required  from  contractors  while  allocating catering contracts by the Railway Administration, if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the details of total number of such allotment came to the notice of the Government and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (g):  With  the  objective  of  bringing  about  improvement  in  quality  and hygiene of food in trains, Ministry of Railways issued instructions vide

Commercial Circular No.24  of  2023.  It  is  envisaged  to  award  contracts  for clusters of trains in place of an individual train. Emphasis has been placed on infrastructure  development  and  fixing  end-to-end  accountability  of  food production and services onboard.

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has undertaken tendering of these clusters of trains under the framework of the extant policy guidelines. Tenders have been awarded through a transparent process to the highest bidders as per the terms and conditions stipulated in the tender documents. Robust monitoring systems and compliance measures have been put in place by IRCTC to prevent any unethical practices or unfair advantages to any contractor.

A total of 24 bidders participated in the tenders for clusters of trains floated by IRCTC, out of which 20 entities have been awarded contracts by IRCTC. No contract was awarded by IRCTC in contradiction of the tender conditions. The details of Letters of Award (LOA), issued to multiple service providers, are published on the website of IRCTC. None of the successful bidders has got 80% of the Cluster A contracts awarded till date.

Receipt  of  representations,  suggestions,  grievances,  complaints  etc.  from stakeholders, elected representatives, catering associations, individuals etc. by  Railways  at  various  levels  is  a  continuous  and  dynamic  process.  These concerns are examined on merits and necessary action is taken accordingly. In  2024-25,  Rs.  13.2  Crores  of  penalties  were  imposed  on  complaints received  by  IRCTC.  Further,  complaints  are  continuously  monitored  on RailMadad Portal.

On an average, 16.5 lakh meals are served per day on the Indian Railways' network.  It  is  the  endeavour  of  Indian  Railways  to  ensure  smooth  and uninterrupted  services  of  such  a  large  volume  of  meals  to  passengers. Necessary  measures  are  accordingly  put  in  place  from  time  to  time  to improve overall services to passengers.

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