On Friday, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has submitted a report in the Parliament and it’s concerned with the catering services of Indian Railways. It has been found that the quality of food items is so poor that they are not suitable to be consumed by humans. Besides that, the food is contaminated too and the recycled, packaged and bottled items have crossed their expiry dates. It has also been found that the water bottles which are available at the stations are of unauthorized brands.
Shocking issues related to the food served to passengers:
A defect is also found in the railways’ catering policy which is changing on a regular basis and it has led to an ambiguous condition as far as catering services management is concerned. Catering services were examined and the inspection report has disclosed shocking things, such as low food quality. Apart from this, lack of hygiene, issues related to cleanliness and no bill for food products that were supplied in trains’ mobile units were among other notable points.
Hygiene and cleanliness need more attention:
Railways and the team of CAG carried out a joint inspection and for this, they chose 80 trains and 74 stations. Lack of sanitation was observed by the audit in catering units of trains as well as stations. The report further reveals shocking details,
“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.”
No printed menu card or bill:
Passengers were not given any printed menu card with the details of price of items served in mobile units and if this was not shocking, commuters were not even given a bill.
Less quantity, higher price & unapproved packaged drinking water:
The audit further revealed that in the premises of railways, the amount charged for food items was much higher than what consumers pay in market. It added,
“Food stuff served was less than the prescribed quantity, unapproved packaged drinking water was sold.”
Contaminated, recycled and shelf life expired items which are not suitable for human beings:
You will definitely think thrice before ordering food after reading what the CAG report has to say about food’s quality,
“Articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, shelf life expired packaged and bottled items, unauthorised brands of water bottles, etc., were offered for sale on stations.”
Indian Railways failed to provide required infrastructure:
As per the audit, it shows failure on the part of Indian Railways which didn’t offer required infrastructure as far as automatic vending machines, static catering units, base kitchens, etc. are concerned. The audit adds,
“Blueprint for provision of catering services was not prepared in seven Zonal Railways. The policy of progressive switch over from gas burners to electric power equipment in pantry cars to avoid the occurrence of fire accidents in trains was not followed while manufacturing the pantry cars in Integral Coach Factory, Perambur.”
This is something which should be of serious concern. What do you have to say in this connection?