Question : PCO at Railway Stations

(a) whether the PCO facility at railway stations has been discontinued across the country and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(b) whether most of these booths were being run by the differently- abled persons and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Railways propose to initiate any scheme for selling mobile recharge vouchers in place of these PCO booths; and

(d) if so, the details thereof including the criteria laid down for the purpose particularly with regard to differently-abled persons?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): No, Madam.

(b): In terms of extant policy guidelines for operation of STD/PCO booths at stations, 25% of the booths are reserved for the physically handicapped persons.

(c) & (d): Existing instructions include provision of Local/STD/ISD call facility, FAX facility and Internet facility in STD/PCO Booths. Besides, existing PCO booth holders are permitted to sell mobile recharge coupons, SIM Cards (new connection), mobile phones and related accessories at railway stations on payment of prescribed license fee additionally.
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