Contract of caterers not providing services up to mark, liable for cancellation

New Delhi, Jul 8 (KNN) Now the railway caterers not providing services up to the mark will have to face cancellation of contract, according to the Railway Budget which has proposed to introduce ready-to-eat meals of reputed brands on-board trains to improve food quality.

A system of collecting feedback through IVRS mechanism from the travelling passengers on the quality of food served will be launched shortly, Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said in his budget speech today.

"If the service is not up to the standard set, especially in the hygiene and the taste, severe action would be initiated against the vendors including cancellation of contract," he said.

Gowda has also proposed to introduce a 'quality assurance mechanism' to improve catering services through third party audit.

"In order to improve quality, hygiene of on-board catering services and to provide variety, I propose to introduce pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) food of reputed brands in a phased manner," he added.

The minister further proposed a quality assurance mechanism through a third party audit by National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies.

The Minister said, Indian Railways also proposes to set up Food Courts at major stations to provide the option of ordering regional cuisine while on board, through emails, SMS and Smart Phones, etc.

A pilot project will be started shortly between New Delhi-Amritsar and New Delhi-Jammu Tawi sections. (KNN/SD)