With portal launch, CSD canteens go online

Items like cars, bikes also can be now purchased online

Army, Navy and Air Force personnel and veterans will now be able to purchase cars, motorcycles, and white goods ( washing machines, TVs, and refrigerators among others), online from CSD canteens.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched the online portal for purchase of items against firm demand ( AFD) from CSD canteens.

This will benefit 45 lakh CSD beneficiaries including serving and retired persons from armed forces and serving civilian defence employees who will now be able to purchase AFD items ( cars, motorcycles, washing machines, air conditioner, dishwasher, air purifier, music system, home theater, TVs, and refrigerator among others) from the comfort of their home.

This will facilitate faster and hassle- free experience to all these beneficiaries.

“CSD beneficiaries- Buy your next Car/ Scooter and other AFD items from ease of your home. No multiple trips to CSD or banks,” tweeted defence secretary Ajay Kumar.

The ceremony was held at New Delhi. During the ceremony there was also live streaming of delivery of cars and motorcycles to personnel in Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Jaipur for those who booked them during the trial run of the portal.

The defence minister said that the project was in line with the vision of Digital India, enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Singh also conveyed the commitment of the government towards the welfare of all jawans and officers of armed forces and the veterans.

Canteen stores department ( CSD) was set up in 1948 to provide “easy access to quality products of daily use, at prices less than market rates” to the soldiers, ex- servicemen and their families.

Its portfolio has grown from just a few items of daily use in 1948 to over 4,000 products today.

While all products are procured based on demand from unit run canteens ( URCs), cars, two wheelers and white goods cannot be stored at URCs and neither can they be shelved. For this reason, CSD procures these items from the trade on behalf of the end user “Against Firm Demand”.

● THE MOVE will benefit 45 lakh CSD beneficiaries, including serving and retired persons from armed forces and serving civilian defence employees, who will now be able to purchase AFD items from the comfort of their home