(a) whether IRCTC has given catering services to private contractors;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the eligibility criteria for getting contracts from IRCTC; and
(d) the details of some of the approved actual prices of foods served in trains?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b): Catering services are provided by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to passengers departmentally or by private licencees through both static and mobile units in accordance with the provisions of Catering Policy 2010 and other instructions issued from time to time. As on 31.03.2016, 72 mobile units and 344 static catering units are being managed by IRCTC.
(c): An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been floated by IRCTC in April, 16 for empanelment of service providers for provision of onboard catering services in trains for shorter duration. The detailed eligibility criteria has been defined in the EOI document which inter-alia, includes legal status of the bidder, minimum annual turnover, experience of catering business, experience of kitchen etc. Existing mobile catering licensees of Zonal Railways selected through the process of Standard Bid Document (SBD) are eligible for empanelment by IRCTC.
(d): The approved prices of standard meals, breakfast and beverages for Mail/Express trains are appended. Sale of A-la-carte items circulated to zonal railways has also been permitted in Mail/Express trains.
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