A survey by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has revealed that every year, food worth Rs 10 crore is provided free to railway staffers and its cost is borne by commuters.

To adjust the cost of free food provided to railway staffers, contractors overcharge passengers for eatables in long-distance trains.

Food is generally provided to seven ticket examiners, four Railway Protection Force employees, four Government Railway Police personnel and about 10 staffers on leave and those from other departments.

"We've questioned the pantry staff on all trains during our survey. When asked about overcharging passengers, the contractors say they have no other choice to recover their money.

Sometimes, the passengers are given less food at the same rates," said an IRCTC official.

"We have complained about the problem to higher authorities, but it has not been solved," said a licensee who did not wish to be named.

He added that if they ask the staffers for money, they complain about the quality of food.

Sanjay Agrawal of R K Associates, who services 40 train pantry cars, said, "We are forced to serve the railway staff. All our complaints have fallen on deaf ears."

Rajeev Singhal, member, Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, said, "I have received several complaints about overcharging.

But passengers do not ask for the menu card. The railway staff merely show their IDs and get food for free."

R D Sharma, group general manager, IRCTC said, "Whenever we receive such complaints, we pass them to the concerned railway authorities."

However, railway authorities distance themselves from the allegations. S Mudgerikar, spokesperson, Central Railway, said, "We don't interfere in these matters. Issues related to catering are handled by the IRCTC."