New Delhi: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated the online portal https://afd.csdindia.gov.in/ for the purchase of the goods of Against Firm Demand (AFD) from the Canteen Stores Department-CSD.
The objective of the launch of this online portal is to encourage the online purchase of approximately 45 lakh CSD beneficiaries, including serving and retired persons of the armed forces and civil defense personnel. All the beneficiaries can purchase products that fall under the category ‘Against Firm Demand’ such as cars, motorcycles, washing machines, TVs and fridges, etc. through this portal.
Appreciating the launch of this portal, the Defense Minister expressed the government’s commitment to the welfare of all jawans and officers of the armed forces and retired persons. He appreciated the entire team for the successful implementation of this project. Rajnath Singh said that this project was in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India.
The ceremony was held in New Delhi. The live streaming of delivery of cars and motorcycles was done for those from Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur who had made their booking during the trial run of CSD portal afd.csdindia.gov.in. The portal has now been formally launched and will facilitate faster procurement. This portal will provide a fast and hassle-free experience to all the beneficiaries.
Know why this step was taken?
The coronavirus has also had an impact on army cantons (CSD). Even after the process of unlocking started, the sales in the army canteens have fallen sharply.
Most people are coming to CSD only to buy food and cleanliness. It is being said that consumers are spending money very cautiously.
At present, the number of consumers who come daily to the canteen of the army has come down by around 50 percent. In view of this, the facility of Mobile Trucks has also been introduced in all CSDs so that people can reach the doorstep and sell everyday goods (FMCG) and Consumer Durable. FMCG and consumer durable companies believe that it will take about 6 months or two quarters for the demand to reach the pre-Corona crisis.