As part of its dedication to promoting the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, Southern Railway has established ‘One Station One Product‘ retail outlets at 160 stations as of date.
More Details:
- These stalls showcase and offer for sale about 940 distinct types of locally-made products, thereby creating supplementary income avenues for local artisans, weavers, craftsmen, potters, and other small-scale traders. These beneficiaries have successfully sold a diverse range of products through the OSOP stalls, generating an impressive revenue of Rs. 12.03 Crores.
- In Southern Railway 423 railway stations have been identified for setting up of OSOP stalls. At 160 station OSOP outlets are already functional against the targeted 258 stations for the year 2023-24.
- Among the top performing stalls in Southern Railway, the Kancheepuram Silk Saree OSOP Stall at Dr MGR Chennai Central recorded the highest sale of Rs. 2.05 Crores. The Sungudi Saree OSOP Stall at Madurai Jn registered Rs.81.18 lakhs revenue while the Siruvanthadu Silk OSOP stall at Villupuram garnered Rs.25.01 lakhs as on date.
Beneficiaries:
- The beneficiary desirous of running OSOP outlets should be a holder of Artisan/Weaver ID card issued by Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Development Commissioner Handloom, or by the requisite State/Central Government Authority or Individual artisans/weavers/craftsmen enrolled/registered with TRIFED/ NHDC/KVIC etc. or Self Help Groups registered with PMEGP or any eligible member of marginalised/ weaker sections of society.
- Keeping in mind the objective of this scheme, a transparent mechanism is being followed for allotment of outlets. An Expression of Interest is invited from interested artisan, weavers and other eligible persons. Selection is made based on the draw of lots by a committee formed at station level for this purpose.
- The eligible party (beneficiary) shall set up a stall at Railway station to sell local/indigenous products for 15 days, on payment of a nominal token fee remitted along with the application.
Nominal registration fee for OSOP outlets:
- The primary objective of the OSOP scheme is to create avenues for improving the livelihoods of marginalised sections of society by offering them additional income opportunities.
- As such, as per the extant policy instructions, the normal duration of allotment of OSOP outlets is for 15 days with a nominal registration fee of Rs.1000/- (inclusive of GST) on lump sum basis. However, for NSG4, NSG5 and NSG6 category stations, the registration fee for 15 days can be waived by Rs.500 by DRMs subject to footfall of the station, stall viability and other factors.
- In a move to pass on the benefit to those at the bottom of the pyramid, various outreach programmes such as advertising in newspapers, public announcements, press notifications, social media campaigns, personal visits to artisans, etc. have been adopted by the Railway authorities.
Source: Southern Railway- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
