(a) whether the Government is considering not to allot bookstalls to any party for more than three years at a time;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether some contractors are running bookstalls at platforms with the same name and style for a number of years; and
(d) if so, the steps taken to break the monopoly of such contractors ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )
(a): No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): Yes, Sir. M/s A.H. Wheelers and M/s Higginbothams are the major bookstall licencees operating their bookstall at various stations of Indian Railways for a number of years.
(d): A New Revised Bookstall Policy -2004 has been formulated with a view to do away with the monopoly and to give a fair chance to different sections of society.