New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) Indian Railway has so far distributed more than 8.5 lakh meals to the poor and the needy since March 28 with the active cooperation of IRCTC base kitchens, an official release here said on Thursday.
Approximately 6 lakh needy persons have been distributed food by RPF over 313 locations till April 8. Meal distribution by Indian Railways is in progress today also to close to 1 lakh persons.
Indian Railways, which started to provide cooked meals to needy people after the lockdown due to COVID-19, continues to provide bulk cooked food with paper plates for lunch and food packets for dinner through IRCTC base kitchens, RPF resources and contribution of NGOs, in keeping with its social service commitment.
More than 6 lakh cooked meals have been provided by IRCTC and about two lakh meals have been provided by RPF from its own resources. Nearly 1.5 lakh meals have been donated by NGOs working with the Railway organisations.
The Railway Protection Force has played a major role in the food distribution to needy people prepared by IRCTC, NGOs and from its own kitchens. Starting with distribution of food to 5,419 needy persons over 74 locations on March 28, the number has grown daily.
IRCTC has also deposited Rs 20 crore in PMCARES fund – Rs 1.5 crore from CSR fund of 2019-20, Rs 6.5 crore from CSR fund of 2020-21 and Rs 12 crore donation.
The food distribution is being done to the poor, destitutes, beggars, children, coolies, migrant labourers, stranded persons and those coming in search of food at and near the railway stations, and even at some distance away from the railway stations.
This is in keeping with the suggestion of Railways and Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal that Railways should widen itsoutreach and go beyond the proximities of railways stations in consultation with district authorities and NGOs in providing food and other assistance to the needy people.
Distribution of food is being done with the help of RPF, GRP, commercial departments of Zones, State Governments and NGOs.
While delivering the food to needy persons, social distancing and hygiene is being observed. GMs/DRMs of concerned Zone and division are also in continuous touch with IRCTC officials to enhance the outreach of these efforts of IRCTC even beyond the station vicinity to cater to the food requirements of needy people in areas surrounding the railway stations with the help of District Administrations and NGOs.
The IRTC base kitchens are located at Ahmedabad, Bhusaval, Howrah, Patna, Gaya, Ranchi, Katihar, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, Balasore, Vijaywada, Khurda, Katpadi, Tiruchirapalli, Dhanbad, Guwahati, Samastipur, Prayagraj, Itarsi, Vishakhapatnam, Chengalpatu, Pune, Hajipur, Raipur and Tatanagar spread over various zones such as Northern, Western, Eastern, Southern and South Central, and help of RPF, other government departments and NGOs.
UNI SD PS 1551