(a) whether under the new Catering Policy, 2004, the Railways have handed over catering units to Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) ;
(b) if so, whether the IRCTC has terminated the services of workers who were working earlier with the Railways after awarding the contract ; and
(c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and steps taken by the Government to safeguard the interest of those workers and to rehabilitate them ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )
(a) Yes, Sir. As per Catering Policy, 2004 and subsequent
policy, 2005, Railways are handing over Catering units at
‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ Category of stations to Indian Railway
Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Catering Units at
‘D’ ‘E’ and ‘F’ category of stations are still being
managed by Railways. However, the catering activity of
Railways are to be hived off completely to IRCTC.
(b) & (c) No, Sir. Departmental catering units are
being handed over to IRCTC alongwith staff on ‘as is where
is’ basis and these staff will continue to serve in the
IRCTC on deemed deputation with option to be exercised
within three years either for absorption in IRCTC or for
reversion back to the Railways. In the event of staff
opting to revert to the railways they will be redeployed as
per extant rules. The transfer of catering staff along
with the activities is in accordance with the Union Cabinet
decision.