Lok Sabha Question No. 157 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Catering Policy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV), B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.157 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## CATERING POLICY

- †*157. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN: SHRI B.V.NAIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of Railways catering policy;
- (b) whether the Railways is implementing the said policy in letter and spirit and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  revamped/proposes  to  revamp  its catering policy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Railways to improve quality of food served to passengers in trains and at railway stations?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 157 BY SHRI RAJESH RANJAN AND SHRI B.V. NAIK TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  09.12.2015  REGARDING  CATERING POLICY

(a): A new Catering Policy was introduced with effect from 21.07.2010 with  the  following  objectives  (i)  To  provide  hygienic,  good  quality affordable  food  to  the  travelling  public  by  adopting  best  trade  and hospitality  industry  practices  (ii)  To  provide  catering  services  in  a socially responsible manner from the least advantaged passenger to the relatively  affluent  (iii)  To  meet    all    the    social    objectives    of    the Government,    including  provision  of  reservations  as  per  Government Directives issued from time to time.

The salient features of the Catering Policy 2010, in vogue, are as under:-

-  In  a  paradigm  shift,  management  and  monitoring  of  all  catering services  (except  Food  Plaza,  Food  Courts  and  Fast  Food  Units) shifted from Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)  to  Zonal  Railways  so  as  to  leverage  Zonal  Railways'  vast and elaborate all-India network to effect a thorough supervision and control over catering activities.
-  IRCTC to be responsible for managing the catering services at Food Plazas, Food Courts and Fast Food Units.
-  Zonal  Railways  shall  have  an  effective  and  transparent  contract awarding, management and monitoring system.
-  Emphasis  to  ensure  availability  of  quality  food  for  not-so-affluent classes  of passengers  by  provision  of  Janta  food,  Jan  Ahaar (economy combo-meals) and affordable regional cuisine.
-  Supervision and  monitoring  strengthened  by  the  zonal  railway  by

- deploying railway personnel to check quality and hygiene and take corrective actions including imposition of stringent penalties.
-  Standard Bid Document for allotment of contracts has been designed  with  detailed  parameters  to  ensure  quality  and  hygienic food is supplied to passengers.
-  Quality Assurance Mechanism through Third Party Audits to ensure quality of catering services.

(b):  Yes,  Madam.  Implementation  of  Catering  Policy  is  an  on-going process. In compliance of the Catering Policy, 2010, the catering units including mobile units have been transferred to Indian Railways.  Zonal Railways have finalized the tendering process of 235 pairs out of 338 pairs of mobile units  based on the Standard Bid Document.

(c): A Committee has been set up to examine the entire gamut of issues relating to catering services on Indian Railways.

(d):  Steps  taken/are  being  taken  to  ensure  that  good  quality  and hygienic  food  is  served  to  the  passengers  include:  (i)  Imposition  of penalties in case of deficiencies detected in services.  (ii) Introduction of station based E-Catering for widening the range of options available to  passengers  for  ordering  food  of  their  choice.  (iii)  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.

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