New Delhi: The Indian Railways' catering arm the Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) distributed from its base kitchen over 1.4 lakh cooked meals to the poor and the needy through the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Rotary Club.
According to reports, raw material to prepare food was also provided to a social welfare organization.
The official statement of Railway Ministry stated, "Starting with 2700 meals on 28th March, IRCTC has prepared and distributed 11530 meals on 29th March, 20487 meals on 30th March, 30850 meals on 31st March and 37370 meals at 23 locations on 1st April."
While distributing the food, Railway workers are trained to maintain social distancing and provide hygienic food.
In an recent order of Railway board, IRCTC was being asked to prepare the food in their base kitchens and to distribute it with the help of RPF, GRP, commercial departments of zones, State Governments and NGOs.
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GMs/DRMs of concerned zones and divisions have also been advised to be in continuous touch with IRCTC officials to enhance the outreach of these efforts even beyond the station vicinity to cater the food requirements of needy people in areas surrounding the Railway stations.
Union Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal also directed the officials of Indian Railways to reach out to needy people with food and other assistance to best of their human abilities and resources.
IRCTC's kitchen spread over various zones including in New Delhi, Bangalore, Hubli, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, Howrah, Patna, Gaya, Ranchi and many other places, are preparing the food for distribution among labourers and migrant workers.
The three-week nationwide lockdown, which entered its seventh day on Wednesday, has left several thousand daily wagers without jobs and has reduced their means of sustenance. Reports of workers choosing to travel on foot to their villages have emerged from many parts of the country, as public transport has been withdrawn for the lockdown.
During the day, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday, issued second advisory urging all states and Union Territories (UTs) to start immediate relief measures to provide temporary accommodation, food, clothing and medical care to the people, including migrant workers stranded due to lockdown.
(With inputs from agencies)
