PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, May 17: The Union Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme over Indian Railways with objectives to promote the ‘Vocal for Local’ vision of the Government of India.
It provides a ready market for local and indigenous products and creates 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.
The pilot of the scheme was started on March 25 last year and as of date, altogether 728 stations are covered with 785 OSOP outlets in 21 states and three Union Territories across the country.
In the State of Jharkhand, 25 outlets of ‘One Station One Product’ at 24 stations have been started.
For uniformity, these OSOP stalls are designed through National Design Institute.
As per railway records, the cumulative direct beneficiaries from March 2022 till May 1 is 25,109.
‘One Station One Product’ is specific to that place and includes artefacts made by indigenous tribes, handlooms by local weavers, handicrafts like world-famous wood carving, tribal jewellery, spices, tea, coffee and other processed/semi-processed food items/products indigenously grown in the area.
The 24 stations where the outlets are currently functional are Adityapur, Barkakana,
Basukinath, Bhaga, Bokaro Steel City, Chakradharpur, Daltonganj, Deoghar, Dhanbad (2), Dumka, Govindpur Road, Hatia, Jasidih, Koderma, Latehar, Muri, NSC Bose Jn Gomoh, Pakur, Parasnath, Ranchi, Sahibganj, Silli, Tatanagar and Tori.
The products include jute bags, pickles, honey, handicrafts, semi-processed food, masala tea, ayurvedic medicine, natural and herbal products, local sweets, tribal jewellery, clay utensils, pottery items, Khadi products and cotton textile.
