More on Covid-19

NEW DELHI: The railway ministry has offered to supply 2.6 lakh meals daily at Rs 15 each from railway kitchens across the country wherever the district administration is able to pick up cooked meals for distribution among the needy.The national transporter said it has already informed district authorities and details of zone-wise kitchen in-charges have also been communicated to the states. The ministry said settlement of payments can be done by state governments later.IRCTC, the ticket booking and catering subsidiary of the railways , has kitchens spread across the country.“The offer of 2.6 lakh meals per day is based on the kitchen capacities of the earmarked locations. If the need arises, more such locations can be ramped up to boost the supply,” an official statement said.The railways has been distributing free hot-cooked meals to the needy during the national lockdown and by Tuesday this crossed the 20-lakh mark.“This is being done with the cooperation of IRCTC base kitchens spread over various zones. Distribution of food is being done with the help of RPF, GRP, commercial departments of different zones , state governments, district administrations and NGOs, even beyond the station vicinity to cater to the food requirements of needy people in areas surrounding the railway stations,” the official release said.