Lok Sabha Question No. 378 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Contracts for Clusters allotted by IRCTC
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 378

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## CONTRACTS FOR CLUSTERS ALLOTTED BY IRCTC

†*378. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

SHRI

OMPRAKASH

RAJENIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details of all  complaints filed by MPs, MLAs and Ministers and public representatives against corruption in the contracts for Clusters
- allotted by IRCTC;
- (b) whether any inquiry has been conducted in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of the said complaints;
- (d) if so, the details of the authorities/persons found guilty in this regard
- along with the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (e) the criteria fixed for allotment of important contracts of Cluster 'A'
- by IRCTC;
- (f)  whether  important  contracts  of  Cluster  'A'  has  been  allotted  by
- IRCTC to only one family and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (g)  whether any criminal cases are pending in the court in this regard
- and if so, the time since when; and
- (h) the steps taken for early hearing in the said cases?

## ANSWER

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

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

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BHUPALSINH

ALIAS

PAVAN

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (h)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 378 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025.

(a) to (h): On an average, 16 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. Further, necessary measures are put in place from time to time to improve overall services to passengers.

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.  These instructions stipulate supply of meals in trains only from designated base kitchens, mapping of trains with  service  locations  and  formation  of  route-wise  clusters  of  trains along  with  identified  locations  for  commissioning  of  Base  Kitchens, putting in place adequate logistics, service infrastructure and deployment of trained manpower. 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.

Accordingly,  as  mandated,  the  Indian  Railway  Catering  &  Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has undertaken tendering of these clusters of trains under the framework of the extant policy guidelines. Contracts have  been  awarded  through  two  packet  e-open  tender  to  the  highest bidders, who fulfil the eligibility criteria defined in the aforementioned Commercial  Circular.  Following  the  due  process  of  tendering,  IRCTC has  awarded  contracts  of  168  clusters  for  which  a  total  of  653  bids were received. Clusters are in two groups i.e., 'Cluster A', comprising premium prepaid trains and Mail/Express trains with pantry cars and

'Cluster B', comprising Mail/Express trains with Pantry Cars and trains with train side vending (TSV).

Designated base kitchens are a single point source of supply of meals to  the  trains.  Base  kitchens  are  equipped  with  standardized  kitchen equipment.  These  base  kitchens  ensure  sourcing  of  high-quality  raw material, packaging material and proper inventory management. As on 15.03.2025,  a  total  of  717  base  kitchens  have  been  commissioned across the country.

Total  17  civil  cases  have  been  registered  against  the  cluster  based tendering  in  various  High  Courts.  Out  of  which  14  cases  have  been dismissed  in  favour  of  Indian  Railways/IRCTC.  Further  3  cases  are pending for hearing.

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.

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