Opening of New Post Offices and details of computerization of post office in country

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

RAJYA SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON 8TH MAY, 2015

(a) whether post offices have been opened in all the villages of the country;

(b) if so, the details especially to that of Gujarat and the number of post offices likely to be opened during the current financial year, State-wise;

(c) whether all post offices of the country, including those of Gujarat, have been equipped with e-mail, internet and computer facilities, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, by when all post offices are likely to be equipped with above mentioned facilities, the details thereof?

(a) &(b) No Sir, However, Department through a physical network of 1,39,182 rural post offices, 1,795 Franchise Outlets (FOs) and 2,795 Panchayt Sanchar Sewa Kendras (PSSKs) are providing basic postal services to all the villages in the country. In addition to delivery, sale of stamps and stationery is also being offered through postmen/delivery agents, while they are on their regular visits to respective beats. Expansion of postal services by relocation and redeployment is an ongoing activity. This is taken up under Plan Scheme-“Rural Business & Access to Postal Network” subject to fulfillment of certain norms prescribed by the Department for opening of post offices, availability of Plan support and manpower. Postal Circle-wise physical targets for opening of 92 Gramin Dak Sewak Post Offices (GDSPOs) by relocation/redeployment including Gujarat for the current financial year 2015-16 is at Annexure-I.

(c)&(d) Yes Sir, all 25,468 departmental post offices including those in Gujarat have been supplied with computers & peripherals and out of this 24,465 post offices are having e-mail & internet facilities and also have been switched over to the new Wide Area Network as a part of “India Post IT Project 2012”. The remaining 1003 (including 9 post offices in Gujarat) do not have these facilities yet due to technical reasons which are in the process of getting addressed and remaining post offices will be provided with e-mail & internet facilities after solving these issues. Postal Circle-wise details of number of Post Offices Computerized and provided inter-net facilities is at Annexure-II.

ANNEXURE-I

ANNEXURE-II