Question : Multipurpose Stalls at Railway Stations

(a) whether the Government has conducted any review of STD/PCO booths installed at the railway stations;

(b) if so, the present status of the said booths;

(c) whether the income of the said booths has substantially decreased due to mobile phones coming in use;

(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government for upliftment of the said booths;

(e) whether the Government proposes to allow the owners of the said booths to sell other things including biscuits, rail neer, chocolates etc. at the said booths;

(f) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done;

(g) whether the Government has received any such proposals; and

(h) if so, the steps taken by the Government thereon?

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

(a): No, Madam.
(b): Does not arise.
(c) to (f): Yes, Madam. In order to uplift/help STD/PCO booth operators, to earn better livelihood, permission has been granted for sale of SIM cards (new connections), mobile phones and related accessories on payment of certain additional licence fee in the existing STD/PCO Booths.

(g) & (h): Yes, Madam. Some representations including from Members of Parliament have been received for conversion of STD/PCO booth into multi-purpose stall operated by handicapped persons. There is no policy to convert STD/PCO booths into multi-purpose stalls, at present.
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