(a) whether the Railways have formulated any policy for allotment of various stalls on contract basis at the railway stations in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether there is a provision for reservation in allotment policy and is being followed;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether there are instances of violation of set norms in this regard and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Catering Policy 2010 and Miscellaneous Article Stalls Policy, 2012 have been formulated for allotment of catering stalls and Miscellaneous stalls respectively. A total of 25% of minor catering stalls and miscellaneous article stalls are reserved at A, B and C category stations for various categories. Within this 25% reservation a quota for various categories has been defined viz.
(i) Scheduled Castes (SCs) -6%
(ii) Scheduled Tribes (STs)- 4%
(iii) People below line- 3%
(iv) Freedom Fighters/ Women including war widows and widows of railway employees- 4%
(v) Other backward classes (OBC)- 3%
(vi)Minorities -3%
(vii)Physically handicapped persons- 2%. There is also a reservation of 49.5% in minor catering stalls and miscellaneous article stalls at D, E and F category stations for various Categories viz. SC- 12%, ST -8%, OBC- 20%, Minorities -9.5%.
For allotment of Bookstalls on stations, the Bookstall Policy was notified in October 2004. This Policy has been quashed by Hon’ble Allahabad High Court. An appeal has been filed against the order of Hon’ble Allahabad High Court and the matter is sub judice before Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. As per Bookstall Policy 2004 there is a total of 25% reservation for various categories. Within this 25% reservation a quota for various categories has been defined viz. SCs - 6%, STs- 4%, OBC - 3%, People Below Poverty Line - 4%, women including war widows and widows of railway employees - 3%, Minorities - 3% and Physically handicapped persons-2%.
(d): No, Madam.