(a) whether it is a fact that IRCTC had entered into a contract with Saradha Tours and Travels for operating tourist services in the package tour of South India under Bharat Teertha Scheme;
(b) if so, the reasons for awarding the contract to Saradha Tours and Travels without floating a tender; and
(c) whether Saradha Tours had the required five years experience to get the contract and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c): Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) had not entered into any contract with M/s Saradha Tours and Travels for operating tourist services in the package tour of South India under Bharat Tirth Scheme. However, it had appointed M/s Saradha Tours and Travels as Domestic Sales Agent to sell various tourism products on commission basis. This issue is under enquiry of Central Bureau of Investigation.