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In an alarming note, a Comptroller and Auditor General audit report on the catering services in the Indian Railways has revealed that that food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations.
The report on railway catering till March 2016, also pointed out that bills were not being given for the food items served in mobile units in trains. Menu cards with tariff for the list of food items was also not available with the catering personnel in trains.
In the inspection that was conducted at selected 74 stations and 80 trains, it was revealed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains.
"Unpurified water straight from tap was used in preparation of beverages, waste bins were not found covered, not emptied regularly and not washed, food stuff were not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in trains etc," the audit observed.
"Blueprint for provision of catering services was not prepared in seven Zonal Railways. The policy of progressive switch over from gas burners to electric power equipment in pantry cars to avoid the occurrence of fire accidents in trains was not followed while manufacturing the pantry cars in Integral Coach Factory, Perambur," the report which is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Friday added.
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