(a) whether the local vendors are being removed from the railway stations and contract is being given to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC);
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the alternate arrangement being made by the Railways for the vendors who have lost their source of livelihood ; and
(d) the steps being taken in regard to the local vendors who are on strike at some places ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) to (d) : Government of India decided in 1999 to hive off the catering services of
the Indian Railways to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a wholly
owned company of Indian Railways. As mandated, IRCTC is awarding catering contracts
at major stations under tender system through competitive bidding. As per extant policy,
the existing licensees are also eligible to participate in the tender system.