Question : PRODUCTION OF FOOD ITEMS

(a) whether the Government propose to undertake production of food items on the line of mineral water ‘Rail Neer’ from the railway resources so that railway revenue can be enhanced;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is considering to impose ban on the sale of mineral water other than Rail Neer at railway stations and in trains;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether spurious mineral water under the label of various companies are being sold on railway stations and in trains; and

(f) if so, the steps taken by the Government to check this?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )

(a) and (b) : At present Zonal Railways from Base Kitchen/restaurant of departmental catering units is undertaking cooking of different food items like “Standard Casserole Meals/breakfast” for mobile/static units beside specialized menu for Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains operated by departmental units. There is no such brand food item production undertaken by Railways.

(c) and (d) : As per extant instruction ‘Rail Neer’ is the exclusive brand of packaged drinking water of Indian Railways manufactured by IRCTC from two Rail neer Plants at Nangloi, New Delhi and Danapur, Bihar, which cater to the requirement of Northern and Eastern belt of the country. Wherever, Rail Neer is not available, instruction exist to procure supply from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approved brand of packaged drinking water which conforms to specifications from (BIS).

(e) and (f): No such instances have been reported, so far, by the zonal railways. However, inspections are undertaken and quality control is maintained by sample checks. In case sample analysis are not found conforming to Bureau of Indian Standard’s specifications, strict action is taken.