Lok Sabha Question No. 2919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Appointment in Base Kitchen/Pantry Cars
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2919 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## APPOINTMENT IN BASE KITCHEN/PANTRY CARS

†2919. SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  directive  for  mandatory  appointment  of  hotel  management graduates in base kitchens/pantry cars by contractors exists as on date, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether IRCTC contractors are not observing the said directive, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether no Hotel Management Graduate has been appointed at any rank of various trains by IRCTC, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether several railways clusters are operating more than the mandatory two premium trains, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  create  clusters  of  trains  having different routes instead of having single route;
- (f) the reasons for which trains in two railway clusters have been given to the same family;
- (g)  the reasons for allocating contracts to those IRCTC contractors against whom complaints were made by the public and passengers; and
- (h) whether the Government has taken action in this matter after the proper investigation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (h):  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. To ensure upgradation in services, various provisions have been made in the Circular which inter-alia include instructions  regarding  qualification  and  training  of  staff  to  be  deployed  for managing catering services. It has been mandated to deploy Hotel management graduates to supervise and monitor these services. Accordingly, Degree/Diploma Hospitality Monitors are engaged by IRCTC/contractors: 819 are deployed in multiple kitchens for monitoring the kitchen  operations  and  876  are  deployed  in  trains  for  monitoring  on-board catering services.

IRCTC formed route-wise clusters of trains along with identified locations for commissioning  of  Base  Kitchens  for  supply  of  meals  in  trains  under  the framework of extant policy guidelines. Contracts of clusters  of trains have been  awarded  by  IRCTC  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 ensure compliance of tender conditions by the contractors and 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  has  been  awarded  by  IRCTC  in  contradiction  of  the  tender conditions.

Representations, suggestions, grievances, complaints etc. received by Railways are examined on merits and necessary action is taken accordingly.

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