HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, May 15: Ministry of Railways has launched ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme over Indian Railways with objectives to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ vision of the government of India to provide a market for local/indigenous products and create additional income opportunities for the marginalised sections of society.
Under the scheme, OSOP outlets at railway stations are allotted for showcasing, selling and giving high visibility to indigenous/local products specific to that place or indigenously grown in the area.
Under the jurisdiction of NFR, 107 OSOP outlets are functioning as on May 10, 2023 spreading over 36 railway stations across Assam, 33 in West Bengal and 1 in Arunachal Pradesh. All the stalls are showcasing and marketing varieties of distinct and invaluable products which are locally manufactured.
Some major stations include – Guwahati, Dibrugarh, New Tinsukia in Assam, New Alipuduar, New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. A variety of Assamese pitha, traditional Assamese gamosa, traditional Rajbongshi dress, jhapi, local textile, jute products (cap, gamosa, doll), handloom as well as other local food products are catching the attention of passengers.
Besides providing an exposure to indigenous culture and traditions, OSOP brings a drastic change to the life of the vendors and their families. The OSOP scheme has created financial security for the families of vendors who are running the OSOP outlets. Sumari Narzary, proprietor of one of the OSOP outlets at Guwahati station, expressed her satisfaction and thanked the government of India and Railway ministry for providing them a source of livelihood as well as a platform to display their culture and traditions. The scheme has helped in uplifting the local economy.
The pilot of the scheme was started on March 25, 2022 and as on May 1, 2023, 728 stations are covered with 785 OSOP outlets in 21 states and 3 union territories across the country. The OSOP stalls were designed through the National Design Institute for uniformity.
