Kochi: Kozhikodan halwa and other yummy delights like banana chips, halwa, peanut candy, groundnuts and potato chips will be missing from railway catering units at stations under Thiruvananthapuram division. A new direction to all catering units (minor and major) restricts sale of such items. Caterers cried foul over the measure stating that the step is being implemented only in the division and the Proprietary Articles Depot (PAD) items are easily available at all stations outside the division.
While the railways said the initiative will stop exploitation of commuters, restaurant owners claimed they were asked to remove even branded items having FSSAI certification and price marks from display. “During the inspection by senior divisional commercial manager at different railway stations, it was found that local PAD items like banana chips, halwa, peanut candy, groundnuts, potato chips etc are being sold at exorbitant rates. They are not labelled properly and their food safety certification is suspect,” said the order issued by the commercial branch, divisional office, Thiruvananthapuram.
“Unscrupulous elements are cheating passengers during the pilgrim season,” the direction read. “They have asked us to even remove branded biscuits. Such a direction is only in the division and has affected sales. A squad came and removed our products on Wednesday evening,” said an employee of the Vegetable Refresh Room (VRR) at Ernakulam South railway station. “Banning banana chips was uncalled for. Railways must ensure commuters are not exploited,” said Paul K.J. Manvattom, All Kerala Railway Users Association president.
