New Delhi, Jul 22 (DHNS): The country’s top auditor on Friday criticised the catering services of the Indian Railways saying that food served in railways was unsuitable for human consumption and contaminated.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its audit report on “Catering Services in Indian Railways” tabled in Parliament said several deficiencies in respect of quality of food served were noticed during the audit.

“Food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and shelf life expired packaged and bottled items, unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations,” said the report.

“During a joint inspection of selected 74 stations and 80 trains over zonal railways, audit noticed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains. Unpurified water straight from the tap was used in the preparation of beverages, waste bins were found not covered, foodstuff was not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in train,” said the report.

Unfair practices were being followed in the execution of catering services at stations and trains. Bill was not given for the food items served in mobile units on trains, the report said. “Due to frequent policy changes, Indian Railways could not take effective steps to bridge the gap to provide necessary infrastructure in terms of base kitchens, static catering units, trains side vending arrangements and automatic vending machines etc”, the audit report said.

The CAG also suggested that the railways take steps to stop unfair practices such as over charging, serving food stuff less than the prescribed quantity, selling non-authorised food items on stations and in trains, non-exhibition of price card and not issuing receipts for the foodstuff sold by catering service providers.