Food served by Indian Railways unfit for human consumption: CAG report

In its report to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, the CAG also warned that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained in catering units at stations and in trains.

"Hygiene and cleanliness in respect of the food stuff served was not ensured by the railways on stations and in trains as observed in the joint inspections undertaken by Audit along with railways. Unfair practices were being followed in execution of catering services at stations and trains," read the CAG report.

"Bills were not given for the food items sold, menu cards were not displayed for the benefit of passengers, food stuff served was less than the prescribed quantity and Proprietary Article Depot (PAD) items were sold at the railway stations at significantly higher prices than market," the report further said.

The report said: "These units included static and mobile units managed both by Zonal Railways as well as by IRCTC – departmentally or through licensees. The deficiencies indicated that the contractors compromised on value for money in respect of food items served to passengers and action taken by Railway Administration for the deviation from the quality standards was not effective."

It said: "Cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains. Unpurified water straight from tap was used in preparation of beverages, waste bins were not found covered, not emptied regularly and not washed, food stuff were not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in trains etc."

"As per the Complaint book available at onboard catering service in Train No. 12033-34 (Kanpur-New Delhi-Kanpur Shatabdi) of NCR, a complaint of iron nail in the breakfast was made. But the final remedial action on this complaint was not found recorded in course of joint inspection.

"Cockroaches and rats were seen in Pantry Car in Train No.12260 (Duronto Express-ER) and 12269 (Duronto Express-SR)," it said.

The CAG warned that the food served to passengers was unhygenic.

" As a result, the contractors continue to sell unhygienic and low quality food at stations. Checks and controls prescribed for check of quality were not used effectively. Though a complaint redressal system has been put in place, there is no reduction in the number of complaints over the years. It was also seen that the major share of complaints pertained to overcharging and quality issues," it said.

Recommendations  made by CAG over the issue:

1. ICF may be directed to keep in view the policy of switch over from gas burners to electric power equipment in pantry cars, while manufacturing pantry cars.

2. Provision of pantry cars may be considered in case of long distance trains as per policy.

3. Railways may facilitate smooth transfer of catering units including base kitchens to IRCTC by ensuring that the obligations on part of the Zonal Railways are fulfilled and accountability of Zonal Railways to carry forward the new Catering Policy of 2017 is clearly demarcated.
4. IRCTC may be obligated to provide low cost Janta meals on stations and these should be effectively advertised amongst the passengers.

5. The prescribed monitoring mechanism may be effectively exercised to ensure hygiene, cleanliness and quality of the catering services by
IRCTC/licensees.

6. Railway Board may frame guidelines for assessing the workability of rates in catering contracts so that the quality of the services is not compromised.

7. Railways may ensure effective checks and controls to stop unfair practices such as, overcharging, serving food stuff less than the prescribed quantity, selling non-authorised food items on stations and in trains, non-exhibition of price card and not issuing receipts for the food stuff sold, by catering service providers.