Feb 4, 2020
The current canteen holders, IRCTC may soon stop to be the caterers the Parliament of India. It is very likely to be taken over by vegetarian food chains like Haldiram’s and Bikanervala
IRCTC is a subsidiary of Indian Railways and the current canteen holders of Indian Parliament which soon may stop to be the caterers there. It is very likely to be taken over by vegetarian food chains like Haldiram’s and Bikanervala. Hence, the entire menu that will be provided to the MPs will be converted into vegetarian food only.
The demand for new caterers was triggered since past few months, where IRCTC has faced criticism due to its poor quality offood served at the Parliament tables and subsidies offered.
According to an inside report, Haldiram’s and Bikanervala, along with the government-run ITDC, are the top bidders who are likely to overtake IRCTC. The final decision is likely to be settled with Haldiram’s and Bikanervala.
Possibly, LokSabha Speaker Om Birla will decide on the matter during the absence of a parliamentary food panel.If Haldiram’s and Bikanervala are given charge of Parliament canteen, than serving non-vegetarian foodon the menu is out as both these food chains are pure veg.
Reliable source quoted that no precise decision has yet been taken in this matter, but certain changes appear as forthcoming in the light of Birla’s emphasis on several occasions that quality of food requires improvement and subsidies need to go probably assoon as the announcement of the budget.
Currently, IRCTC also gets subsidized rates for cutleries from Parliament. It has also come under the knowledge calling in a private service provider will shred the task of cooking and serving food from the Parliament to that of caterers.
The decision of doing away with subsidies will immediately result in yearly savings of approx Rs.17- 18 crores.