**Subject: Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1815 Regarding Food Item Sales at Ballarshah Railway Station**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1815, concerning the sale of food items at inflated prices at Ballarshah Railway Station in Maharashtra. The question was raised by Smt. Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh and answered on July 30, 2025.
The Ministry acknowledges receiving complaints regarding overcharging by vendors at Ballarshah station and affirms its commitment to providing good quality, hygienic food to passengers at approved rates. In response to these complaints, Indian Railways has taken punitive actions, including fines, disciplinary measures, and warnings. During the current calendar year, penalties totaling Rs. 35,500 have been imposed on licensees in 4 cases of overcharging at Ballarshah station.
The response details several mechanisms in place to ensure food quality and prevent overcharging. All food items sold at railway stations are approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Regular and surprise inspections are conducted to monitor quality and prevent overcharging. Specific measures to improve services include:
* Installation of Point of Sale (POS) machines at static catering units to facilitate billing and digital payments.
* Prominent display of approved rate lists at catering units to increase passenger awareness.
* Regular food sampling to ensure quality.
* Drives by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) against unauthorized vending.
* Issuance of standardized Identity Cards to authorized vendors.
* Availability of affordable and economy meals at static units and dedicated service counters.
* Passenger feedback mechanisms through RailMadad for quick resolution of issues.
The Ministry maintains that Indian Railways continuously endeavors to provide affordable, high-quality food and addresses catering-related complaints with appropriate action.
Key Entities Referenced
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Ballarshah Maharashtra Railway Station: Railway station in Maharashtra, India, where overcharging complaints were reported.
SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH: Member of Parliament who raised the question about food sales at Ballarshah Railway Station.
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS: The government minister responsible for the Ministry of Railways.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology who provided the answer to the question.
Indian Railways (IR): The state-owned national railway system of India.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The authority that approves the food items sold at railway stations.
Railway Protection Force (RPF): A security force in India, responsible for protecting railway passengers, passenger areas and railway property.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1815
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
SALE OF FOOD ITEMS AT HIGHER RATE IN BALLARSHAH RAILWAY
STATION
†1815. SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding
selling of food items by the vendors at a rate higher than the printed
retail price at Ballarshah (Maharashtra) Railway Station;
(b) if so, whether the said activity is posing a threat to the health of
passengers, if so, the details of the action taken by the Government
against such unauthorised vendors or the details of the officials who
failed to take action against them;
(c) the mechanism in place for regular checking of quality and rate of
food items at railway station, the reasons for the ineffective functioning
of the mechanism; and
(d) the immediate and long-term measures likely to be taken by the
Government to ensure pure and affordable food availability to the
passengers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): It is the continuous endeavour of Indian Railways (IR) to
provide good quality and hygienic food to travelling passengers at
stations, as per the approved rate list. Prompt and appropriate punitive
action, including imposition of fines, disciplinary action, counselling,
…2/--2-
warning etc., is taken in case of catering-related complaints. During the
current calendar year, a penalty of Rs.35,500/- has been imposed against
defaulting licensees for 04 cases of overcharging at Ballaharshah
station.
All the items, which are sold at stations, are approved by the Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Regular and surprise
inspections are conducted to ensure no overcharging as well as better
quality.
Following measures have been taken to improve services to passengers
at stations :
● Installation of POS machines at static catering units to promote
billing and digital payments.
● Approved rate lists are prominently displayed at catering units for
passenger awareness.
● Regular food sampling, as a part of the inspection and monitoring
mechanism, to ensure good quality of food.
● Regular drives are carried out by Railway Protection Force (RPF)
against unauthorised vending.
● Issuance of standardized Identity Cards to ensure sale and service of
food items by authorised vendors only.
● Affordable and economy meals are made available to passengers at
stations through static units and dedicated service counters placed
at platforms.
● Feedback from passengers through RailMadad and its quick
resolution.
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