Railways Mandates Standard ID Cards to Tackle Illegal Vending

Quick Summary

• The Railway Ministry has mandated standardised identification cards for vendors on trains and stations to curb unauthorised vending.
• Unauthorised vendors have reportedly caused issues like selling adulterated food, posing health risks to passengers.
• A circular dated July 17 directed zones to immediately implement guidelines for issuing ID cards through the Railway Management/IRCTC.
• The ID cards will feature vendor details such as name, aadhaar number, medical fitness certification, police verification validity, deployment unit information, and licensee firm name.
• Vendors/helpers must prominently display their ID cards while selling catering items at railway station premises or inside trains. Reserve vendors are also accounted for in the policy to ensure service continuity during absences.
• Exiting employees must surrender their ID cards before being replaced with duly authorized new staff.
• Records of licensee staff/vendors/helpers will be maintained in a defined register at each station/train.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The railway Ministry’s initiative to introduce standardized identity cards is a commendable move aimed at ensuring passenger safety and bolstering accountability within India’s vast rail network. Unauthorized vending can lead to serious public health concerns due to unregulated food quality standards. By mandating identity verification linked with Aadhaar numbers and police clearances, the ministry provides a framework for higher compliance while reducing potential loopholes that might allow unauthorized operations.

This directive not only prioritizes passenger health but could also encourage more organized and professional vendor management systems across railway zones. However, effective implementation remains key-success hinges on systemic follow-through by each zone along with regular audits of registered personnel records. Streamlining this process represents an crucial step toward improving services within India’s transportation sector.

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