Lok Sabha Question No. 2548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Postal Services in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, Chandra Prakash Joshi, Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2021

## POSTAL SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS

†2548. SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government proposes to expand postal services to improve  its  services  in the rural areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the details of the works carried out by the Government for the welfare of Gramin Dak Sevaks; and
- (c) the amount of funds released by the Government to improve postal services in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) Yes Sir, the Government has expanded postal services to improve its services in rural areas.
- (b) In addition to the current National Saving Schemes, the Government has extended additional five National Saving Schemes such as Monthly Income Scheme, Senior Citizen Savings Schemes, Kisan Vikas Patra,  National  Savings  Certificate,  Public  Provident  Fund  from  1,31,312  Branch  Post  Offices  of  the country from 23.07.2020 onwards. The services of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) including Door Step Banking  and  Aadhaar  Enabled  Payment  from  1.1  Lakhs  rural  post  offices  have  been  made  available. Aadhaar Updation &Enrolment services have also been made available from Departmental Post Offices of rural areas. In addition, Business to Citizen (B2C) services such as utility bill payments, insurance premium collections, mobile top up recharges, Government to Citizen (G2C) services such as Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, National Pension Scheme etc have been made available from selected Departmental Post Offices of rural areas.

There  are  various  welfare  measures  for  Gramin  Dak  Sevaks  (GDSs)  such  as  Children  Education Facilitation allowances @ Rs. 6000/- per annum, Emergency leave for a maximum of 5 days in a calendar year, 180 days Maternity leave for women GDS, Limited Transfer facility (one time for male GDSs and two for female GDSs) and Compassionate Appointments for the dependent of deceased GDS. In addition, there  are  various  financial  assistances  extended  by  the  Government  under  the  Scheme  'Circle  Welfare Funds for Gramin Dak Sevaks'. The details of assistances are at Annexure-I .

- (c) An amount of Rs. 75.3 crores have been released by the Government to improve the postal services in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh during the last three years.

Annexure referred to in reply of para (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred question No.2548 to be answered on  10.03.2021  raised  by  Hon'ble  Member  of  Parliament  Shri  Sangam  Lal  Gupta,  Shri  Chandra Prakash Joshi, Shri Manoj Tiwari, regarding 'Postal Services in Rural Areas'

- 1) Financial  Assistance  to  families  of  deceased  GDSs  to  meet  immediate  expenses  following  death, irrespective of whether death occurs during duty/outside duty hours Rs. 10,000/-
- 2) Death due to terrorist activity/dacoity, while on duty Rs. 1,50,000/-
- 3) Financial Assistance in case of death of GDSs due to riots, attack by robbers & terrorists while not on duty Rs. 12,000/-
- 4) Financial Assistance in case of death of GDSs while being on duty due to accident Rs. 25,000/-
- 5) Funeral  Expenses  on  death  of  GDS  (payable  in  cases  in  which  last  rites  of  deceased  GDS  are performed by brothers or sisters or near relatives in the absence of any other next of kin) Rs.5,000/-
- 6) Financial Assistance in case of major surgical operations in ailments, like Cancer, brain hemorrhage, kidney failure/transplant, heart surgery etc. Rs. 20,000/-
- 7) Financial Assistance in case of accident of GDS while being on duty, requiring hospitalization for more than three days.Rs.5000/-
- 8) Financial Assistance for nutritional diet to GDS suffering from TB (only once for a maximum period of  six  months,  provided  the  GDS  has  put  in  at  least  six  years  of  service  &  treatment  is  taken  in government hospital).
- 9) Grant of Scholarship under educational Schemes to the children of GDS (as per existing terms & conditions). IIT, AIIMS and IIM Rs.1000/pm.

Indoor Treatment - Rs. 400 p.m.

Outdoor Treatment   - Rs. 200 p.m.

## Technical Education

- (i)  Degree Rs.280/p.m.
- (ii) Diploma Rs.190/p.m.

## Non-Technical Degree

BA/BSc/B.Com/ Degree in fine Arts Rs.150/p.m.

ITI Certificate Courses Rs.940/p.a.

- 10) Incentive for excellence in academic achievement for 10th and 12th Class.

1 st Position in the Circle/Region- Rs.1,000/-

2 nd Position in the Circle/Region- Rs.8,00/-

3 rd Position in the Circle/Region - Rs.7,00/-

4 th Position in the Circle/Region - Rs.6,00/-

5 th Position in the Circle/Region - Rs.5,00/-

- 11) Scholarship for physically handicapped children of GDS (for maximum 8 years & as per the existing terms & conditions) Rs.200 p.m.
- 12) Financial Assistance in cases of natural calamities, like fire, floods etc. Rs.5000/-
- 13) Financial Assistance in cases of GDS Employee suffering from COVID-19 Rs.20000/(Maximum) : As a welfare policy initiative in view of new health

challenges for our GDS as front end warriors suffering from COVID019, a one time Financial Assistance of Rs 20,000/- only has been provisioned.

## REPAYABLE LOAN

- (i) For construction of one room with flush toilet facilities for housing the Branch Post Office. Rs. 50,000/-
- (ii) For purchase of Computer/Laptop to encourage computer literacy amongst GDS.Rs.20,000/-
- (iii) For purchase of moped/scooter/Motor cycle which will also facilitate travel while discharging duty like exchange of BO Bag, visit to Account Office etc.Rs.20,000/-.
- (iv) The GDS will be eligible for loan on maximum two occasions in his entire career with a maximum ceiling of  Rs.  50000/-  subject  to  condition  that  previous  loan  amount  has  been  fully  repaid  and  there  is  no outstanding loan against the GDS.

## ONE TIME REPAYMENT AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT

- (i) The scheme will be contributory in nature with a component of grant-in-aid from Central Postal Welfare Fund of the Department.
- (ii) Each GDS will contribute Rs.20/- per month.
- (iii) A GDS who has not claimed any kind of assistance or grant from Circle Welfare Contributory Fund in his entire service will be paid a lump sum amount at the time of retirement. The slabs for payment will be as under :-

| (i)    | Less than 5 years no amount payable.                                 |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (ii)   | 5 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.1000             |
| (iii)  | 10 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.2000            |
| (iv)   | 15 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.3000            |
| (v)    | 20 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.4500            |
| (vi)   | 25 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.5500            |
| (vii)  | 30 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.6500            |
| (viii) | 35 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.8000            |
| (ix)   | 40 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.9000            |
| (x)    | More than 45 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.11000 |

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