opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Sanction for Prosecution
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV, RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 142

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016)

## SANCTION FOR PROSECUTION

## †142. SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV: SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether accountability has not been fixed for deliberate delay in granting approval for prosecution in cases of corruption;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government for timely approval for granting permission for prosecution and punish the guilty persons in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b): The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, vide its judgement dated 18 th December,1997 in the case of Vineet Narain Vs Union of India, directed that ' time limit of three months for grant of sanction for prosecution must be strictly adhered to. However, additional time of one month may be allowed where consultation is required with the Attorney General (AG) or any law Officer in the AG's office'. Accordingly, instructions have been issued from time to time to  all  Ministries/Departments  to  strictly  abide  by  the  orders  of  the  Supreme  Court.  It  is sometimes not possible to adhere to this time limit. The delay which occurs in the sanctioning of  prosecution  is  mostly  on  account  of  detailed  scrutiny  and  analysis  of  voluminous  case records  and  evidence,  consultation  with  Central  Vigilance  Commission  (CVC),  State Governments  and  other  agencies,  and  sometimes  non-availability  of  relevant  documentary evidence.

(c):    In order to avoid delay in processing of such proposals due to procedural infirmities/ shortcomings/discrepancies  in  the  proposals,  DoP&T  has  switched over  to Single  Window System  w.e.f.  01.08.2014  for  accepting  the  proposals  as  per  order  No.  142/4/2012-AVD.I dated 28.07.2014. DoPT  also conducts quarterly meeting with Central Vigilance Commission,  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation  &  other  Central  Government  Ministries  to monitor  pending  cases  of  sanction for  prosecution  and  check  delay in sanction for prosecution. Government has sanctioned 92 additional Special Courts across the country to dispose of prevention of corruption act cases expeditiously. Of these, 86 Courts have become functional.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Gramin Dak Sevak
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.141 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  FEBRUARY, 2016

## GRAMIN DAK SEVAK

141.   SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN: SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  COMMUNICATIONS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  a  committee  to  examine  the  wage structure, service conditions, etc. of the Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS);
- (b) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
- (c) if not, the action taken by the Government to improve the working conditions and pay structure of GDS?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The Government has constituted  one man Committee under the Chairmanship of  Shri  Kamlesh  Chandra,  Retired  Member,  Postal  Services  Board,  to  review  the remuneration, wage structure and other service conditions of the Gramin Dak Sevaks. The tenure of the Committee is of one year. As and when, the Committee submits its reports , the  recommendations made will be considered by the Government adopting the usual procedure.

- (c) Not applicable in view of the above.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Concessions to Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, SAUGATA ROY, RAM CHARITRA, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 138

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## CONCESSIONS TO PASSENGERS

138.  SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  been  losing  huge  amount  of  crores  of rupees annually by providing concessional tickets to various categories;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  any  assessment  to  find  out  the  money  losing  by Railways has been conducted;
- (c)  if so, the details in this regard;
- (d)  whether there is any proposal to withdraw such concessions offered to  a  host  of  individuals  including  senior  citizen  who  travel  by  AC  first class coaches with the tickets coming at 50% discount; and
- (e)  if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  to  (c):  Revenue foregone due to concessions being given to various categories  of  passengers  in  passenger  fare  was  approximately ` 1423 crores during the year 2014-15.
- (d) & (e): Passenger fares, concessions etc. are reviewed regularly and necessary changes are made based on feedback which is a continuous and ongoing process.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 136 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Repair of ROBs/RUBs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV, SONA RAM CHOUDHARY, SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE, RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI, C.R. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.136

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## REPAIR OF ROBs/RUBs

† 136. SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) it is true that  a large number of Railway Over Bridges(ROBs) and Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) are old and needs extensive repairs/replacement;
- (b)  if  so,  please  state  total  number  of  such  bridges  and  their  year  of construction ;
- (c)  is  Ministry  of  Railways  is  planning  to  replace  them  and  within  which timeframe; and
- (d)  if  so,  please  state yearly programme  and total budget earmarked for the coming three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): On Indian Railways, there are 6245 Road Over Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under  Bridges  (RUBs)  of  different  years  of  construction.    There  is  a  well established  system  of  annual  inspection  of  these  ROBs/RUBs  on  Indian Railways.  Based on these inspections, required repair/replacement works are planned and executed accordingly.  32 such ROBs/RUBs, constructed between the years 1868 to 1962, have been planned for extensive repair/replacement.

(c)  &  (d):  Funds  for  construction  of  Road  Over  Bridge  (ROBs)/Road  Under Bridges  (RUBs)/Subway,    elimination      of  level  crossings  and  other  safety works  related  to  level  crossings  come  from  Central  Road  Funds(CRF)  as  a percentage of cess collected on Petrol and Diesel by Ministry of Finance.   Due to  limited  availability  of  funds  and  huge  throwforward  of  already  sanctioned works, ( ₹ 31,700 crores), it is not possible to fix the  target.  Budget allocation of  works  is  done  every  year  in  Railways  Budget  depending  upon  overall availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Attack on Indian Consulate
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.135 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## ATTACK ON INDIAN CONSULATE

135. SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: SHRI ASHOK   SHANKARRAO   CHAVAN: SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Indian  Consulate  in  Afghanistan's  Mazar-e-Sharif  came under attack recently and if so, the details in this regard;
- (b)
- the number of casualties reported therein;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  enquiry  in  this  matter  in consultation with Afghan authorities;
- (d)
- if so, the details and the outcome thereto; and
- (e) the  effective  steps  taken/  proposed  to  be  taken  to  prevent  such incidents in the future?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (e) The Consulate General of India in Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh Province,  Northern  Afghanistan  was  attacked  by  terrorists  on  January  3-4, 2016.  During  their  operations,  Afghan  National  Defense  and  Security  Forces (ANDSF) killed four terrorists involved in the attack. Mr. Mohammad Salim of ANDSF died in the attack while ten personnel of ANDSF and one civilian were injured. All Indian diplomats and staff deployed at the Consulate General were unharmed  in  the  attack  due  to  the  efforts  of  the  Consulate's  India-based security team and the Afghan security forces.

Government awaits detailed information from Afghan authorities regarding the result of their investigation into the attack.

Government of India has been upgrading, on a regular basis, all security arrangements  at  our  Embassy  and  four  Consulates  in  Afghanistan.  These measures are undertaken in close consultations with, and with the assistance of,  Afghan  security  agencies.  In  the  light  of  the  recent  terrorist  attack, Government has undertaken further review of security measures in Afghanistan in coordination with Afghan authorities, and is taking all necessary  steps  to  ensure  safety  and  security  of  the  Consulate  and  its personnel.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Transparency
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.134 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  FEBRUARY, 2016

## TRANSPARENCY

134.   SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  COMMUNICATIONS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the telecom regulator has urged broadband service providers to make detailed  disclosures  of  their  tariff  plans  on  their  websites  including  data  download speeds under a new compliance code to bring transparency;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the service providers thereto;
- (c) whether  the  telecom  regulator  has  also  urged  fixed  broadband  operators  to ensure download speeds do not drop below 512 kbps in any broadband tariff plan;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the broadband service providers in this regard; and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to protect  the interest of customers?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) to (e) Madam, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has uploaded on its website, a draft direction to telecom service providers for delivering broadband services in  a  transparent  manner  by  providing  adequate  information  to  broadband  customers. TRAI  has  invited  comments  and  counter  comments  from  stakeholders  on  this  draft direction.    The  last  dates  for  receipt  of  comments  and  counter  comments  were 10/02/2016 and 17/02/2016 respectively.  TRAI will examine all these comments and counter comments and issue necessary directions to telecom service providers.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 133 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Building Assessment
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE, SHASHI THAROOR, BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 133

TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2016

## BUILDING ASSESSMENT

No.133

SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE: DR. SHASHI THAROOR: SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is aware that the lack of a periodic hazard and
- vulnerability  assessment  for  buildings  in  urban  areas  leading  to  a number of untoward accidents including the collapse and disintegration of public buildings/complexes.
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Ministry  proposes  to  consider  directing  the
- States/Union  Territories  to  conduct  regular  Hazard  and  Vulnerability assessments for buildings/complexes including measures to check the availability of safety equipment,  accessibility for water  tenders, evacuation routes, early warning systems, accessibility to emergency services, damage and electrical insulation to ensure that buildings are resilient to disasters;
- (c)  whether the Government also proposes mandating the States/Union Territories to submit a periodic vulnerability assessment report to their respective State Disaster Management Authorities which was recently conducted in the State of Kerala, to determine the vulnerability of public buildings/complexes, particularly of schools, public offices and hospitals; and

Contd…..2/-

- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) & (b) : The periodic hazard and vulnerability assessment for buildings in  urban areas falls under the purview of State Government which is responsible  for  enforcement  of  Building  Bye-laws.  However,  Central Government issues advisories from time to time to State Governments to ensure Structural Stability and Disaster Mitigation.

- (c): There is no such proposal.
- (d): It is a subject which falls under the purview of State Government.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Overseas Mail Delivery
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, P.P. CHAUDHARY, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, DILIP KUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.127 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  FEBRUARY, 2016

## OVERSEAS MAIL DELIVERY

127.   SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:
2. SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI:

Will  the  Minister  of  COMMUNICATIONS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether mails of non-commercial nature parcel of India Post Meant for overseas are held up by customs causing delay in delivery;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the remedial measures taken in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) All international postal parcels are subject to customs examination. No separate procedure or list is maintained for non-commercial and commercial nature parcel while being handled at foreign post offices.
- (b) & (c) Do not arise in view of (a) above.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 125 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Launch of IRNSS-1E
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

## 125.

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.125

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

## LAUNCH OF IRNSS-1E

- SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  has launched  the  fifth  (IRNSS-1E)  navigation  satellite  in  the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite system;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  time  by  which  this  navigation  system  will  be  fully operational;
- (d) whether some countries have shown interest for cooperation in developing satellite navigation system; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- Yes Madam.
- (b) IRNSS-1E, the fifth navigation satellite in IRNSS constellation  of  7  satellites,  was  successfully  launched onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle 'PSLV-C31' on January 20, 2016 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.

(c) The  space  segment  comprising  of  7  navigation  satellites will be in place by first half of 2016.

(d)&(e)  The discussions with Russia are underway to locate suitable Ground support system for enhancing the utility of navigation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Cancellation of Trains due to Foggy Weather
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA, SUDHEER GUPTA, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, K. MARAGATHAM, RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.122 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## CANCELLATION OF TRAINS DUE TO FOGGY WEATHER

## 122. DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  trains  cancelled/delayed/diverted  due  to  fog  during  the recent winter season;
- (b)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  take  proper  care  of  the passengers during such delays etc. and to ensure minimal cancellations/delays/diversions of trains during winter due to fog;
- (c) whether the Government has started the trail of fog cameras to assist train drivers during dense fog;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the cost involved; and

(e)  the time by which these cameras will be put into operation in all the trains?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI MANOJ SINHA )

(a)  &  (b)  With  a  view  to  managing  operational  bottlenecks  during  fog, Indian  Railways had initially  cancelled  (including  reduction  in  frequency) 6690  services  of  256  pairs  Mail/Express  trains  including  reduction  of frequency  and  had  diverted  2  pairs  of  Mail/Express  trains  traversing through fog affected areas during the period from 8 th  January 2016 to 29 th February 2016.

Considering    the  inconvenience  caused  to  passengers  and  prevailing improved  visibility  conditions,  a  review  of  cancellations  was  conducted and  it  was  decided  to  restore  3619  (more  than  50%)  services    by  the Railways in phased manner by 8 th  February 2016 as per table given below:-

| Date            |   Number of services restored. |
|-----------------|--------------------------------|
| From 15.01.2016 |                           1241 |
| From 25.01.2016 |                            439 |
| From 08.02.2016 |                           1939 |
| Total           |                           3619 |

Therefore, 3071 services were cancelled during 8 th  January to 7 th  February 2016. All services were normalized from 8 th  February 2016 onwards.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) & (e) Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Ready to Eat Meals in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NISHIKANT  DUBEY, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 118 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## READY TO EAT MEALS IN TRAINS

## 118.  SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY:

- SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has undertaken any steps to increase the number of trains providing on-board catering, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  licensed  the  on-board catering services to any large food chains or local restaurants, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  any  mechanism  for ensuring maintenance of hygiene and other quality standards in the onboard catering service of the Railways; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) and  (b):    Allotment  of  tenders  to  private  licensees  for  providing onboard catering services to the passengers through pantry cars is an ongoing process.  Further, a major initiative viz. E-catering has been taken  by  Railways  through  Indian  Railway  Catering  and  Tourism Corporation  to  enable  passengers  to  book  the  food of their choice.

E-Catering  service  is  at  present  available  in  1350  trains  not  having pantry  cars,  Train  Side  Vending  and  on  45  stations  across  Railway zones.  Large reputed food chains in the catering business like KFC, Dominos, Haldiram, Bittoo Tikki Wala, Food Panda  etc. have already been  empanelled  as  vendors/aggregators  for  providing  good  quality variety food to passengers as per their choice.

(c) and (d): Steps 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 railusers  to  lodge  complaints/suggestions  regarding  food  and  catering services.

*****