(a) whether it is a fact that the contract of bookstalls held by unemployed graduates categories and other small contractors who are wholly dependent on bookstall business are not to be renewed at all even they are giving full satisfactory service to the travelling public; and
(b) if so, the detailed reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. As per Revised Bookstall Policy – 2004, issued on 12.10.2004, there
would not be any renewal of existing licences, which have already expired or are due to
expire. Fresh tenders will be called for at ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ categories of stations and
fresh applications will be invited at ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ categories of stations against
bookstall licences on expiry of contracts.
The Revised Bookstall Policy – 2004 has been formulated with a view to do away
with monopoly and to give a fair chance to different sections of society. The new policy
for allotment of book stalls has been framed to bring transparency and competitiveness.
Individual unemployed graduates, their cooperatives, partnerships and organisations of
unemployed graduates and individual unemployed graduates who are sons/wards of Railway
men, both in service or retired are eligible for bookstall licences at ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’
& ‘F’ categories of stations. However, at ‘A’ category stations any firm/company, etc.
can participate in the tender for bookstall licences subject to fulfillment of eligibility
criteria.