CAG slams railways over quality of washed linen

India's official auditor has slammed railways for its slow progress in setting up an automated mechanised laundry and weak monitoring of quality of washed linen, saying that it had led to large-scale outsourcing and passenger dissatisfaction.

In a report tabled in parliament Tuesday, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) also said that railway's efforts in implementing a new catering policy 2010 for providing hygenic, affordable food to passengers and improving cleanliness at stations were largely ineffective.

"Weak monitoring of quality of washed linen supplied to the passengers and slow progress in setting up automated mechanised laundry had not only resulted in large scale outsourcing of washing of linen but also contributed to passenger dissatisfaction," the report said.

It also said that assurances given earlier to segregate bio-degradable and non-degradable wastes was not fulfilled and guidelines concerning rodent control measures had not been properly implemented.

"Indian Railways needs to effectively monitor the quality of washed linen supplied to passenger and initiate pest and rodent control mechanism," the report said.

"Remedial measures by Indian Railways to ensure adequate safe drinking water were inadequate," the report added.

It also suggested specific budget head for earnings from commercial publicity.