Madras HC tells railways to consider caterers’ plea

CHENNAI: The Madras high court has directed the Union railway ministry to consider the representation by Indian Railways’ Mobile

Caterers

Association (IRMCA) to restore their services, which have been suspended since

lockdown

was announced in March 2020. The court observed that the authorities should give sufficient opportunity to

members

of the association to put forward their contentions and pass orders within four weeks.


Justice Abdul Quddhose issued the directions based on a petition from IRMCA seeking to quash tenders floated by IRCTC and restore the mobile unit

catering

licences of the association members. While services of mobile caterers remain suspended, Railways has invited bids for catering services, which is arbitrary, the petitioner contended. In response, R Thyagarajan, senior counsel for IRCTC submitted that the tender pertains only to special trains and not to regular trains the petitioner association works for.

After perusing the submissions, the judge noted that businesses struggled financially during the lockdown. “The predicaments of the association will have to be addressed expeditiously,” the court said, issuing the directions.