New Delhi: Regular and surprise inspections are conducted to check the quality, quantity and overcharging of food being served in Indian Railways. All complaints including those pertaining to overcharging are dealt strictly. Stringent punitive actions, including monetary penalty, debarring and termination of contract are taken as per the magnitude of the complaint, informed the official sources.
The Ministry of Railways had issued a new catering policy on February 27, 2017, under which Railways need to provide catering services in trains as per the prescribed standard and tariff. Several initiatives have been taken by the railways including the display of menu and tariff through various means like websites, social media, newspaper, trains at a glance mandatory with waiters.
Monitoring and supervision of catering service takes place through Operation of centralized Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) toll free number 1800-111-321, Operation of All India Helpline No. 138, Twitter handle, E-Mail and SMS based complaints redressal. However, it is continuous endeavour of Indian Railways to monitor catering services and take stringent punitive action for deficiency in services including overcharging.