Panel call to improve catering in Railways

MUMBAI, SEPT. 6. The Passenger Services Committee (PSC) of the Indian Railways has called for improvement in standards of hygiene and quality of materials procured by the railway catering services.

The Chairman of the PSC of the Railway Ministry, Mr.Raj Kishore Mahato, told reporters last night that during surprise checks in railway kitchens it was found that none of them were following the standards set up by railway catering policy on personal hygiene and food safety.

``After the food poisoning case in the Calcutta-Delhi Rajdhani Express in July last, it became all the more important to improve the situation in the catering section,'' he added.

Although a new catering policy has been introduced, none of the concerned persons were aware of it, he said. ``We have prepared Indian Railways bulletin on personal hygiene and food safety and are circulating it to all kitchens,'' he said.

In fact, during a surprise check on the Rajadhani Catering Kitchen, the committee found that the quality of Basmati and Parimal rice were not satisfactory and the concerned supplier's name was cancelled, he added. Mr.Mahato also said that the railways would gradually abolish their own catering and give it to private contractors in a phased manner. Mr.Mahato is heading the newly formed high powered six-member committee, aimed at improving tourism and catering in Indian Railways.

Mr.Mahato said regularisation of licence for hawkers is also being taken up as the survey during the last three months has shown that most of the hawkers are having three or more shops with a single license which deprives Railways of their due income.

Regarding passenger facilities on basic amenities in places like Mumbai, where 60 lakh commuters travel daily in railways, Mr.Mahato suggested that of even one per cent of the daily income (Rs 1 crore) is used for improving the facilities, Mumbai people would benefit a great deal.

``The Railway Board is looking into these possibilities and assured to improve the situation,'' he said.

-PTI

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