Revision or norms for opening of Post Offices in rural and urban areas comments/views of
recognized unions on the proposal - reg.
I am directed to enclose a copy of the Department’s letter No. 40-36/EFC/2002-Plg Dated 5.7.2011
on the above subject along with a copy of minutes of meeting of the Committee held on
8.9.2011 & 9.9.2011 under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Sandhya Rani, PMG, AP Circle.
You are requested to send your comments/views in the matter directly to Director (RB).
(Subhash Chander), Director (SR & Legal)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT Department of Posts (PIanning Division)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delli-110001
No. 40-36/EFC/2002-Plg
Dated 5-7-2011
Sub : Committee formed to review the norms for opening of post offices in rural and urban
areas.
The competent authority has decided to constitute a committee to comprehensively examine the
norms for opening of post offices in rural and urban areas. Accordingly, the following
committee is being constituted to examine the above issue and other related matter, as per
terms and conditions given below.
(a) Constitution of the committee
1. Ms. Sandhya Rani, PMG, O/o. Chief PMG,
A.P. Circle, Hyderabad
2. Shri Anurag Priyadarshee,
Director (RB), Dak Bhawan
3. Ms. G. Anita, Director of A/Cs
(Postal), Hyderabad
(b) Terms of Reference
(i) To review all the norms for opening of post offices in rural and urban areas
(ii) The committee will submit its report withi,n three months of issue of this letter.
2. The committee should take following into consideration while examining and recommending
the norms for opening of the post offices:
(i) There is a focus on Gram Panchayats, as most welfare schemes of Central and State
Governments are directed through them. Whether branch post offices should be relocated/
opened at Gram Panchayat only.
(ii) Universal service obligation is to be taken Into consideration, as the post office is. In many
areas, the sole service delivery organization for Central and State Govt. benefits, and the only
organization that offers savings and communi cation facilities. Taking into consideration that
soon Branch Offices Will be networked, many other services can be delivered through this
network, whether further relaxation In Hie norms should be made for opening of branch offices
in rural areas, as potential revenue for a networked BO is high. Thus, the committee should also
take into consideration the potential Income that is likely to come to the Depart ment’s rural
network when it becomes a major provider of financial inclusion and payment and uspd for
delivery of social securities.
(iii) Regarding urban areas, the committee should look at the expansion of cities and the need
for providing postal facilities to the new colonies based on the likelihood of further expansion
rather than present population / lncome which may be deceptive.
(Y.P. Raj), DDG (RB)
Chairperson
Member
Member
Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee for Review of the Norms for Opening of Post
Offices in Rural and Urban Areas, Postal Directorate 08.08.21011 & 09.08.2011
1. The following Committee members met on 08.08.2011 at Postal Directorate, New Delhi.
a. Ms.K Sandhya Rani, PMG (BD & Tech), Chairperson
b. Shri AnUiag Priyadarshee, Director (RB) Dak Bhawan Member
c. Ms. M. Anita, Director of Accounts (Postal) Hyderabad Member
2. After a detailed discussion, it was agreed that the Committee should In addition to the terms
of reference of Dte letter No. 40-36/EFC/2002-Plg study the following:
a. Parliament Standing Committee Report on inadequacies of Post Offices and take into view the
concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee relating to rural Postal network
b. Report submitted by the lastlCommittee for opening of Post Offices in 2005 headed by the
then Member (D) Ms. Jyothsna Deish
c. The recent instructions of the Department on rationalization of Urban Postal network issues
vide letter NoAO-06/2010-Plg dated 25.01.2011.
d. Planning Commission Report on Backward and underserved areas
e. Banking services in rural areas and norms for opening of bank branches
f. RFP for RurailCT project of DOP
g. The exiting norms for Postal franchisees
3. In addition to items listed at serial no. 2 of Directorate letter about items to be considered
while making recommendations, it was agreed to look at the efficacy of distance norms for
opening POs keeping in view improvements in transport, technology and business environ
ment, increased potential for G2C services, etc.
4. It was also decided to seek the views of Head of Circles, Union representatives on revision of
norms for opening of Post Offices in urban & rural areas.
5. In a meeting with JS & FA Ms. Allnie Moraes, the committee members were advised to look at
the following:
a. Look at Ms. Shoba Koshy Committee Report, which may be available in planning unit.
b. Suggest norms/rules for closing of Post Offices in current locations, while recom mending on
any new conditions for opening of POs.
c. Look at how opening of Post’ Offices fits into DOP model of Postal Franchisees
d. Study relevance of instructions relating TRCA protection.
6. During the meeting with DOG (Estt) and Director (Estt), the committee was requested to look
on the following
a. Relevance of distance factor and if population only should be the only criteria for opening
Post Offices in rural areas.
b. In urban areas if LSG level Post Offices should be the basic facility achieved through
merging of B & C Class POs.
c. Look at how many POs were actually opened in urban and rural areas during previous two V
years Plans; (for 10 years)
7. The committee discussed the observations made in the 33rd report of the Standing Committee
on Information Technology during evidence on Demand for Grants (2002-03) - regarding lack of
Postal facilities in urban conglomerations, extensions etc. D.O.lr.NoAO-4/2002-Plg dated 6.01.03
of Member (I & FS) Shri T.R.Sharma.
8. Next meeting would be during the 23rd & 24th Sept 2011 at Hyderabad.
(K.Sandhya Rani),
Postmaster General (BD T & M)
% CPMG AP Circle, Hyderabad 500001
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