CAG Report: Unsuitable, unfit, contaminated and expired foodstuff is being offered by the Railways

July 21,2017:

The inspection has revealed that cleanliness and hygiene are not being maintained, bills are not being given for food items served in the mobile units in the trains, besides that there are several deficiencies in the food quality.

Comptroller and Auditor General's Audit Report on catering services in Indian Railways, to be tabled in the Parliament on Friday, has observed that the food articles unsuitable for the human consumption, the contaminated foodstuff, the recycled foodstuff, the packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at the stations.

Audit has also found fault with the frequent changes in the catering policy of railways that have created a state of uncertainty in the management of catering services provided to passengers.

During joint inspection of CAG team and Railways at the selected 74 stations and 80 trains, Audit noticed that that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at the catering units at the stations and in the trains.

Audit Report states that,"The Unpurified water straight from the tap was used in the preparation of the 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 the trains etc".

Report states that mess has been created due to the frequent policy changes and failure of Indian Railways to take effective steps to bridge gap to provide the necessary infrastructure in terms of  the base kitchens, static catering units, and the automatic vending machines etc.