Food served on trains unfit for consumption - CAG


New Delhi, Jul 22 (DHNS): The country’s top auditor on Friday criticised the catering services of the Indian Railways saying that food served in railways was unsuitable for human consumption and contaminated.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its audit report on “Catering Services in Indian Railways” tabled in Parliament said several deficiencies in respect of quality of food served were noticed during the audit.

“Food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and shelf life expired packaged and bottled items, unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations,” said the report.

“During a joint inspection of selected 74 stations and 80 trains over zonal railways, audit noticed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains. Unpurified water straight from the tap was used in the preparation of beverages, waste bins were found not covered, foodstuff was not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in train,” said the report.

Unfair practices were being followed in the execution of catering services at stations and trains. Bill was not given for the food items served in mobile units on trains, the report said. “Due to frequent policy changes, Indian Railways could not take effective steps to bridge the gap to provide necessary infrastructure in terms of base kitchens, static catering units, trains side vending arrangements and automatic vending machines etc”, the audit report said.

The CAG also suggested that the railways take steps to stop unfair practices such as over charging, 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 foodstuff sold by catering service providers.

  

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Comment on this article

  • anthony, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 22 2017

    The CAG was very active during the UPA rule and one kept wondering at its silence for the last three years. The truth about food on the railways was a known fact that it is unfit for human consumption. what has the railway ministry done all these years. Is there any accountability in our system.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mankind well wisher, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 22 2017

    Finally after years of Indian Independence the Comptroller and Auditor General has come out with a serious truth with regard to the Catering and Pantry services in the Trains as well as the Railway stations under different Zones of the Indian Railways.

    With healthcare concerns improving in India , the Indian Railways must implement effective corrective actions to ensure all the citizens travelling Indian Railways are provided with safe and hygienic food and water and beverages.

    We wish in the next 2-3 years the standard of the Catering and Pantry services in the Trains as well as the Railway stations under all the Zones of the Indian Railways will be bench marked to that of European standards and make the journey a memorable every time and all the time.

    The Railways must also ensure the Comptroller and Auditor General office Team Audits regularly once in 3 months on random basis and updates the Indian Parliament about gaps and improvements implemented .

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Jul 22 2017

    First time in 70 years ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


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