SC issues notices challenging catering policy of Railways

New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to Railway Ministry on a petition challenging the National Catering Policy of the Central government for railways under which licenses of major caterers have been renewed till 2012 while small catering units are being subjected to tendering process and their licenses are not being renewed.

The petitioner, ''Indian Railways Caterers Association'' have come in appeal against the judgement of Bombay High Court dated April 12, 2007 vide which their petitions were dismissed.

A bench comprising Justices B N Agrawal and P P Naolekar, however, refused to grant interim stay against the impugned judgement.

The Association in its petition have contended that the order of the government was totally arbitrary , illegal and discriminatory.

The petitioners have sought the interim stay against the implementation of catering policy 2005 comprising of circular dated March 16, December 21, 2005 and December 28, 2005.

The petitioners have also prayed to the court to direct the respondents to renew the licenses of the members of the Petitioners' Association.

According to the petitioner, the National Catering Policy of the government has always been treated as a public utility service and not as a source of profit and any hike in license fees would certainly affect the quality and quantity of food and beverages served to the railway passengers.

Since menu and tariff are pre-fixed, the policy to provide cheap, wholesome, clean and hygienic food to the passengers would certainly be defeated.

UNI