Question : CATERING AND VENDING STALLS

(a) whether it is a fact that recently additional items like packed snacks/biscuit, beverages, Rail Neer and other approved Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified packed drinking water and chocolates etc. ave been permitted for sale by miscellaneous articles Contractors at Railway Platforms;

(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether a number of requests have been received for the permission for sale of the above noted items at the PCO/STD booth which are being operated by disabled people;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Railways thereon;

(e) whether the Railways have received number of suggestions regarding change in the new Catering Policy, 2010 and allow to sell miscellaneous articles/items by all catering /vending stalls as well as departmental stalls on all Indian Railways; and

(f) if so, the details of action taken thereupon?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3900 BY SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI, SHRI TARACHAND BHAGORA, SHRI PRABODH PANDA AND SHRI P. LINGAM TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 25.08.2011 REGARDING CATERING AND VENDING STALLS.

(a): No, Madam

(b): Does not arise.

(c) and (d): Few representations have been received regarding permission for sale of miscellaneous items from the existing STD/PCO booths. STD/PCO Booths are allotted for a specific purpose. As such these booth holders have not been permitted to undertake other activities.

(e) and (f): Few Suggestion have been received regarding permission to sell Miscellaneous articles /items on catering /vending stalls. As per New Catering Policy, 2010 the miscellaneous articles /items are not permitted for sale on catering /vending stall.