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Title: Need to review catering policy in order to protect small vendors in large & medium railway stations.
SHRI PRABODH PANDA (MIDNAPORE): Madam, I want to raise a very important matter relating to the vending contractors working in the Railways. Small Railway vending contractors who are confined to one small stall or one small trolley only are being evicted systematically in all categories of stations – ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. The matter has been brought before the hon. Minister. The Minister intervened and the Minister wrote a letter to the concerned officers.
“These small licencees are running their small business from railway premises. Please see that they are not unnecessarily victimized till such time a review of the policy is made, especially as these people belong to the weaker sections.”
In spite of this letter, the officers are ignoring the situation and eviction process is continuing. This is not only confined to one station but also to most of the ‘A’ “B’ and ‘C’ railway stations. I am particularly referring to stations at Shahdara, Panipat, Sonipat, Sarai Rohilla and Muzaffarnagar and stations at Khurda of Orissa and West Bengal.
I am bringing this matter, to the notice of the Ministry, through you. … (Interruptions) Madam, let them not teach me..… (Interruptions) The Minister has already intervened..… (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: Please address the Chair.
SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Madam Speaker, I am bringing this matter before you so that the concerned Ministry officials may take immediate steps without ignoring the intervention of the letter of the hon. Minister.