Question : Rail Neer at Stations

(a) whether a network of corruption in `Rail Neer’ has been busted by CBI recently;
(b) if so, the details of the case and the action taken against the guilty officers and the contractors;
(c) the details of the illegal money recovered by the investigating agency from them;
(d) whether the Railways has taken/proposes to take action to prevent such corruptions in the future;
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) whether only one litre bottles of `Rail Neer’ are being sold and not 500 ml as other brands do and thus leaving no choice with the passenger but to go in for 1 litre bottle and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

(a) to (c): Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against two Railway officials and eight private caterers under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 regarding the supply of packaged drinking water other than the prescribed `Rail Neer’ in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains in Northern Railway. Two railway officials were placed under suspension from 16.10.15 to 11.04.16. The recommendation of the investigating agency i.e CBI and the advice of Central Vigilance Commission pertaining to the Railway officers have been received.
(d) & (e): Guidelines for 100% supply of Rail Neer in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto Trains have been issued on 27.01.2016 for implementation w.e.f 01.02.2016. Similarly notification of other identified mail/express trains and stations, where 100% supply of Rail Neer is mandatory, have been issued on 12.02.2016 for implementation w.e.f. 01.03.2016.
(f) : No, Madam. Both one litre and 500 ml bottles of Rail Neer as well as other approved brands of packaged drinking water have been allowed for sale.
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