Kolkata. If you travel in a premium train like Rajdhani Express and are rest assured about the quality of food served there, then this news coming out from Ahmedabad may surprise you. A special team of Ahmedabad Division Railway conducted a surprise raid in the base kitchen preparing food for the Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express. There was a stir when a large quantity of expired food items were found during the investigation.
Railways has taken strict action against the concerned food service provider and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh after finding expired food items kept for serving passengers.
Special team suddenly raided-
'Railway Food Vigilance Force' constituted by DRM of Ahmedabad Division conducted a surprise inspection of the base kitchen of Rajdhani Express. According to Railways, this action was taken under the zero tolerance policy to ensure the quality, cleanliness and hygiene of the food served to the passengers.
During the investigation, the team found a large quantity of food items in the base kitchen, whose expiry date had passed and which was kept to be served to the passengers.
369 Poha and 984 Upma packets expired-
During investigation, 369 packets of Haldiram Poha and 984 packets of Haldiram Upma were found expired. Apart from this, 24 packets of Haldiram Chole Masala and 6 packets of Fortune Semolina were also found expired.
According to the Railways, this food item was part of the supplies served to the passengers. Considering the receipt of expired material in large quantities as serious negligence, action was taken against the concerned service provider.
Railways imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh-
Taking the matter seriously, the Railway Administration has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the concerned food service provider. Also, instructions have been given to monitor and tighten the base kitchen and food supply system.
'No compromise on quality of food'-
The Railway Administration made it clear that no compromise will be accepted on the quality, cleanliness and hygiene of the food served to the passengers.
Railways said that if any violation of food safety and prescribed standards is found, strict action will be taken against the concerned agency. Surprise inspections and action will continue in future to ensure the quality of food served to passengers.