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By Rajesh Saha: The Indian Ministry of Railways has recently launched the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme in an effort to promote local products and support marginalized communities. The scheme aims to showcase and sell indigenous and locally-made products at railway stations across the country, creating additional income opportunities for small entrepreneurs and artisans.
Since its pilot launch on March 25, 2022, 728 stations are covered with 785 OSOP outlets in 21 States and 3 Union Territories across the country. The OSOP stalls are designed by the National Institute of Design for uniformity. The cumulative number of direct beneficiaries from March 2022 to May 2023 is 25,109.
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The products sold at these outlets include handicrafts, textiles, traditional garments, local agricultural produce, and processed or semi-processed foods.
In the Eastern Railway, 57 OSOP stalls are now operating at various stations in four divisions, including Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, and Malda. Out of these, 21 stalls in Howrah Division, 7 in Malda Division, 7 in Asansol Division and 22 in Sealdah Division. The products sold at these stalls vary widely, from taant handloom sarees to pottery, cane and bamboo products, and even dry flowers and decorative products.
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Eastern Railway has identified 380 stations for establishing OSOP stalls, ranging from highly urbanized areas to rural locations, providing a wide range of indigenous products.
Kausik Mitra, CPRO-Eastern Railway further added that the OSOP scheme certainly succeeded to provide enhanced livelihood and skill development opportunities to local entrepreneurs and artisans.
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