The Indian Railways “one station, one product” strategy helps vendors and buyers

Surat : Indian Railways launched ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme with the objective to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ vision of the Government of India. It aims to provide a market for local & indigenous products as well as create additional income opportunities for the marginalized sections of society.

Under the scheme, OSOP outlets at railway stations are allotted for showcasing, selling and giving high visibility to indigenous /local products. Presently (as on 09.11.2023), 1134 OSOP outlets are operational at 1037 stations across Indian Railways. In this direction, there are 86 OSOP outlets at 83 stations over Western Railway, out of which 51 outlets are in Gujarat state.

Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway  said that  ‘One Station One Product’ are specific to that place and include artefacts made by indigenous tribes, handlooms by local weavers, handicrafts like world famous wood carving, chikankari and zari-zardozi work on clothes, or spices tea, coffee and other processed/semi processed food items/products indigenously grown in the area.

In the state of Gujarat, various well known indigenous products such as handicraft products made of bamboo, Wall Hangings of Mirror work, Artefacts & Warli paintings; Traditional Handloom products such as hand printed sarees, dress materials, embroidery work; Imitation jewellery; Leather products, Processed food such as pickles, Masala powder, Dry fruits and even Raw Honey are famous and are kept for sale in such outlets. At present, there are 51 One Station One Product outlets provided at 48 stations in the state of Gujarat.

Thakur stated that One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23. The pilot project was launched on 25.03.2022 for 15 days at 19 stations. Based on the experience gained from the pilot project, OSOP policy was issued by Ministry of Railways on 20.05.2022. It is pertinent to mention that these outlets have brought about great impact on the lives of these sellers.

They have found a great platform to showcase their local products at a place which receives tremendous footfalls. This has increased the sale of their products and transformed their lives.

How OSOP stalls are allotted?

Under this scheme, Indian Railways is providing uniquely designed sale outlets with distinctive look, feel and logo at stations as per the design developed by NID/Ahmedabad for showcasing, selling and giving high visibility to indigenous/local products. Allotment is done to all applicants by tendering process, who meet the objectives of the scheme on rotation basis by draw of lots at stations.

How many beneficiaries are benefitted?

Total 39,847 direct beneficiaries have availed the opportunities being offered under this scheme up to 09.11.2023. Assuming indirect beneficiaries @5 per allotment, total beneficiaries work out to be 1,43,232. Total sales of ₹49.58 crores have been registered.

Vision behind OSOP & Outreach:

In the OSOP Policy, it is envisaged that the benefit of this scheme must reach the target groups i.e. those at the bottom of the pyramid and to provide opportunity to all applicants. To achieve this objective, various public outreach measures including advertising in newspapers, social media, public announcements, press notifications, personal visits to artisans, etc. have been adopted by the Railway Authorities.