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A day after the CAG released a report critical of the food served in stations and trains, the <keyword id="76223" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> today said the IRCTC has formed a new catering policy by unbundling the current services on trains, according to a PTI news report.In order to better the quality of food, the Indian <keyword id="6356740" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Railway">Railway</keyword> Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) will set up new kitchens and upgrade the existing ones, the ministry said in an official statement.The IRCTC has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction, primarily, between food preparation and its distribution, it said.The statement came after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report yesterday, had termed the food served at stations and in trains "unfit for human consumption".The ministry said as per the new catering policy of 2017, the IRCTC will manage the services on all mobile units and pantry car contracts will be reassigned to the railways' catering arm. Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by the IRCTC, it said.

CAG report impact: Railway food to undergo policy change

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> has suggested 24 steps for an action plan to renovate the railways. 
 
The measures include asking the ministries of food and railways to chalk out the total nine-month food requirement of the Northeast states and formulate a way to transport the whole stock in one go. The other steps are Wi-Fi connectivity on all passenger trains in three months and ‘scrap-free railways’ by June 30 next year. 
 
The railways have been asked to find out an area where world-class technology can be deployed. 
 The action points are a mix of macro- and micro-level objectives. What is evident in all action points is Modi’s concept of getting departments and ministries to work in tandem with common objectives. The <keyword id="6696781" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Urban-development-ministry">Urban Development Ministry</keyword> and the railways have been asked to connect all major airports with the metro rail. 
 
One of the action points is to connect all the underdeveloped areas with the developed areas. Leveraging the UPA’s flagship MGNREGA, the Prime Minister’s Office wants the project to be linked with the laying of tracks and other works in the railways.

PMO Suggests 24 Steps To Transform Railways

New Delhi, Nov 28 () Passengers at 25 more railway stations such as Ajmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur would be served tea and other food items in environment friendly materials like Kulhad as the North-Western Railway has directed zonal officers to take steps for ensuring the use of green catering products at these places.
 These 25 stations include Bikaner, Sirsa, Bhiwani, Hanumangarh, Shri Ganganagar, Hisar, Churu, Suratgarh, Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer, Nagpur, Jaisalmer, Bhagat Ki Kothi, Luni, Jaipur, Jhunjhuna, Dausa, Gandhi Nagar, Durgapura, Sikar, Ajmer, Udaipur, Sirohi Road and Abu Road.
 Earlier at the request of Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal directed railway board to issue the directions accordingly.
 Consequently, the Railway Board on September 9 directed all principal chief commercial managers of the zonal railways across the country and IRCTC CMD.
 "In view of above, zonal railways and IRCTC are advised to take necessary action to ensure use of locally produced, environmentally savvy terracotta products like kulhad, glasses and plates for serving catering items to passengers through all static catering units at the identified railway stations with immediate effect".
 Varanasi and Rae Bareli stations are already using terracotta products for catering. Now, the railways has decided to use them at 400 stations across the country. RSN SHW
SHW

Visitors at 25 more railway stations can savour 'Kulhad Chai' soon

<ul><li>The railways have installed Artificial Intelligence-enabled high definition CCTV cameras in 16 base kitchens that will monitor proceedings in real-time.</li><li>Eight high definition cameras have been installed in each of these kitchens. </li><li>The AI-enabled cameras will be able to detect anomalies like the presence of rodents and roaches or even whether the staff are wearing the required uniform. </li></ul> In July last year, a Comptroller and Auditor General audit report stated that the food served by the Indian railways was “unsuitable” for human consumption. This led the railways to co-develop a hi-tech system that will help in ensuring that food is cooked hygienically. While the Indian railways is no stranger to criticism, it does get an ‘E’ for effort, especially for at least attempting to save face by installing Artificial Intelligence-enabled high definition CCTV cameras in 16 base kitchens that will monitor proceedings in real-time. The system is configured to detect any action that breaks basic hygiene requirements and if it does detect anything out of the ordinary, it will immediately raise a ‘red flag’. The technology has been developed in association with a New Delhi-based firm called <keyword id="6508706" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="WOBOT">WOBOT</keyword>. Eight high definition cameras have been installed in each of these kitchens and the feed will be sent directly to the to a kitchen surveillance control room set up at the <keyword id="65866" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IRCTC">IRCTC</keyword>’s (Indian Railway Catering &amp; Tourism Corporation) headquarters in Delhi. The AI-enabled cameras will be able to detect anomalies like the presence of rodents and roaches or even whether the staff are wearing the required uniform. All this information will be relayed to the central control room. Apart from that, the system will also allow the central control room to make announcements to the base kitchens. An IRCTC official told <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/now-ai-technology-to-ensure-hygenic-food-on-trains-heres-how-it-works-5167629/" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Indian Express</a>, “To begin with, 16 base kitchens of IRCTC have been installed with high definition cameras connected to huge monitors for AI vision detection. Live streaming of 16 base kitchens will be done. Suppose a chef or any kitchen supervisor is not wearing the uniform, including the mandatory cap, the AI system will track that and automatically raise a report to the concerned contractor immediately. If the matter is not addressed within a certain time, it will further be reported to IRCTC authorities in charge.” In future, the railways intend to expand the number of kitchens it monitors.

Indian Railways is betting on AI cameras to keep its kitchens clean

<div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"></div><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&amp;ALID=2C0408TTB9S6P&amp;PBC=2CKRYD1D85D:2C0408TPP10M4:2C0408TTB9S6P">REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon</a></div>At the National People's Congress, <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> announced some government restructuring plans.
The number of cabinet ministries were cut to 25, the biggest reduction in ministries since 1998, according to Societe Generale's Wei Yao.
The Ministry of Railways is being split into two parts, the administrative functions will now be merged with the Ministry of Transport, while the part that deals with construction will be changed into something like a state owned enterprise (SOE) called the China Railway Corporation (CRC). "Going forward, railway investment may no longer enjoy the same level of priority as in the past," writes Yao.
Bank of America's Ting Lu warns that this isn't necessarily a huge improvement since the CRC "would be run as a monopoly as the MoR had been".
This break up has already raised concerns about <a href="http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20130311000048&amp;cid=1102&amp;MainCatID=0&amp;buffer_share=379f2&amp;utm_source=buffer">who will repay the 2.6 trillion yuan (approx. $426 billion) in debt,</a> about 5 percent of GDP, that the Ministry of Railways amassed during its massive expansion.
Second, the government will merge the Family Planning Commission with the Ministry of Health. We have previously said that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/china-abolishing-the-one-child-policy-2012-11">ending the one-child policy</a> is one of Chinese government's biggest priorities. The changes to the Commission that will make it responsible for carrying out the population policy. The population strategy itself will be handled by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Some of its other functions will be merged with the Ministry of Health to form the National Health and Family Planning Commission".
"We think this move paves the way for the much-anticipated and long overdue relaxation of the one-child policy," writes Yao.
Here is a chart from Societe Generale that shows the major changes to both ministries:
<div class="image-container click-to-enlarge" style="width:582px"><div class="image"><a title_source="Societe Generale" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/513dd98c69bedd6d29000013-960/screen shot 2013-03-11 at 9.18.07 am.jpg"></a></div>Societe Generale</div>
 China has in the past year also been plagued with food safety concerns. Now, the State Food and Drugs Administration is being bumped up to a ministry, under the General Administration of Food and Drugs. "It will increase accountability by making the new super regulator exclusively responsible for food and drug safety," writes Lu.
With China and Japan's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-senkaku-diaoyu-dispute-2012-9">ongoing dispute over the Senkaku-Diaoyu islands</a> China is consolidating its various maritime law enforcement agencies into the State Oceanic Administration. These include the coast guard which is part of the Public Security Ministry, the fisheries law enforcement command that is currently under the purview of Ministry of Agriculture, and the anti-smuggling police that are part of the General Administration of Customs. While China experts are happy about the consolidation they say much more is needed. But the fact that such changes are being made this early into the start of the new leadership shows that policymakers are paying attention. These show policymakers efforts to "improve bureaucratic efficiency and weaken vested interest," writes Yao.

China Just Announced Major Reductions To Its Bureaucracy That Will Affect Big Parts Of The Economy

New Delhi, Mar 27 () More than 1.6 lakh wagons carried supplies in the last four days, including one lakh with essential commodities, to ensure there is no shortfall during the countrywide lockdown, the Railways said Friday.On March 23, a total of 26,577 wagons were loaded with essential commodities, which included 1,168 wagons of food grain, 42 wagons of fruits and vegetables, 42 of onion, 42 of sugar, 168 of salt, 20 of milk, 22,473 of coal and 2,322 of petroleum products.On March 24, a total of 27,742 wagons were loaded with essential commodities, which included 1,444 wagons of food grain, 84 of fruits and vegetables, 168 of salt, 15 of milk, 50 of edible oil, 24,207 of coal and 1,774 of petroleum products.The next day, 23,097 wagons were loaded and onMarch 26, 24,009 wagons were loaded with essential commodities.Officials said each wagon has a capacity of carrying 60 tonnes."Close coordination is being maintained with state governments so that rakes of essential commodities are handled smoothly without any delay amidst various restrictions imposed in the wake of Covid-19," the national transporter said in a statement."To monitor the uninterrupted movement of essential commodities over Indian Railway system, an emergency freight control is working in the Ministry of Railways. Freight movement is being closely monitored by officials at a very senior level." ASG ABHABH

Lockdown: Railways carries 1.6 lakh wagons of supplies in 4 days

New Delhi, Prime Minister <keyword id="19962578" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shri-narendra-modi" source="keywords">Shri Narendra Modi</keyword> will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation around 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 41,000 crore on Monday. The event will be held at 12:30 p.m. via video conferencing. In a post on X, <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pm-modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> said, "Today is a historic day for our Railways! At 12:30 PM, 2000 railway infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 41,000 crores will be dedicated to the nation. "In order to enhance the travel experience, 553 stations will be redeveloped under the <keyword id="20270535" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amrit-bharat-station-scheme" source="keywords">Amrit Bharat Station Scheme</keyword>. The foundation stones for these stations would be laid. Overbridges and underpasses across India will also be inaugurated. "These works will further 'Ease of Living' for the people." In a major step to provide world class amenities at railway stations, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for redevelopment of 553 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These stations, spread across 27 states and Union Territories, will be redeveloped at a cost of over Rs 19,000 crore. These stations will act as 'City Centres' integrating both sides of the city. They will have modern passenger amenities like roof plaza, beautiful landscaping, inter modal connectivity, improved modern facade, kids play area, kiosks, food courts, etc. They will be redeveloped as environment friendly and also <keyword id="20109552" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="divyang" source="keywords">Divyang</keyword> friendly. The design of these station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture. Further, the Prime Minister will inaugurate <keyword id="20727159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gomti-nagar" source="keywords">Gomti Nagar</keyword> station in Uttar Pradesh which has been redeveloped at a total cost of around Rs 385 crore. To cater to the increased future passenger footfall, this station has segregated arrival and departure facilities. It integrates both sides of the city. This centrally air-conditioned station has modern passenger amenities like Air Concourse, congestion free circulation, food courts and ample parking space in upper and lower basement. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation 1500 Road Over Bridges and Underpasses. These Road Over Bridges and Underpasses spread across 24 states and Union Territories, the total cost of these projects is around Rs 21,520 crore. These projects will reduce congestion, enhance safety and connectivity, improve capacity, and efficiency of rail travel.

PM Modi to launch 2,000 railway infra projects worth over ₹41,000 cr

A company and a society, linked to suspended Railway officials facing CBI probe in connection with alleged corruption in supply of packaged drinking water in premium trains, have come under the agency's scanner which suspects these were used for camouflaging illegal remittances received from private caterers. 
 CBI sources said Sandeep <keyword id="870324" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Silas">Silas</keyword>, a 1984-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has been involved in a project of his own, besides, being a very active player in the cultural scene of the national capital. 
 
The project run by Silas, Garland of Peace, has come under the scanner of the agency which will see weather any bribes were paid through it, they said, adding that all funds which came to the project and other cultural activities of Silas would also be probed. 
 
Sources said a company run by the son of M S Chaliam, another Railway officer facing CBI probe in the case, has also come under the probe of the agency. 
 
CBI suspects private catering companies could have paid illegal remittances to the officer through the company run by his son for alleged favours shown to them for supplying inferior quality of packaged drinking water on premium trains. 
 
The sources clarified that both the angles were at the initial stage of probe, which would be investigated in depth to arrive at any logical conclusion. 
 
CBI has registered a case against Chaliam, Silas and seven private companies - RK Associates Pvt Ltd, Satyam Caterers Pvt Ltd, Ambuj Hotel and Real Estate, PK Associates Pvt Ltd, Sunsine Pvt Ltd, Brandavan Food Product and Food World - under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act. 
 
During searches on Friday last, CBI had recovered Rs 27 crore cash from Shyam Bihari Agrawal, his sons Abhishek Agrawal and Rahul Agarwal, who own RK Associates and Brandavan Food Product. 
 
It is alleged that the accused officials had shown favour to these private firms in supply of cheap packaged drinking water other than 'Rail Neer' which is mandatory in premium trains including Rajdhani and Shatabdi. 
 CBI had said that the Railway Board had prescribed that <keyword id="65866" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="IRCTC">IRCTC</keyword> shall provide Rail Neer at the rate of around Rs 10.50 per bottle to private caterers and they would be paid (approx) Rs 15 per bottle for supplying the same to the passengers in premium trains. 
 
However, in order to make undue gains, the private suppliers were allegedly supplying cheap packaged water, other than "Rail Neer", available in the market at a rate of Rs 5.70 to Rs 7 (approx) per bottle, thereby making profits for themselves and loss to the exchequer. 
 
"The accused public servants allegedly did not take any action against the private parties providing catering services in premium trains despite repeatedly being informed by IRCTC about non-picking of allotted quota of 'Rail Neer' by them," CBI spokesperson said. 
 
CBI said the directions of Railway Board to ensure supply of "Rail Neer" in premium trains were also ignored by the officials thereby causing undue pecuniary advantage to the private parties and corresponding loss to the IRCTC. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

You Searched For "Railway Food" and got 8 results

CAG report impact: Railway food to undergo policy change

BI India Bureau

PMO Suggests 24 Steps To Transform Railways

BI India Bureau

Visitors at 25 more railway stations can savour 'Kulhad Chai' soon

PTI

Indian Railways is betting on AI cameras to keep its kitchens clean

Kavita Majumdar

China Just Announced Major Reductions To Its Bureaucracy That Will Affect Big Parts Of The Economy

Mamta Badkar

Lockdown: Railways carries 1.6 lakh wagons of supplies in 4 days

PTI

PM Modi to launch 2,000 railway infra projects worth over ₹41,000 cr

IANS

Rail Neer scam: CBI to probe company, society of railway officials

BI India Bureau

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