Lok Sabha Question No. 2751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-04
Subject: Postal Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2751 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  AUGUST, 2021

## POSTAL SERVICES

## 2751.   SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether with the rapid advancement of electronic and digital communication systems, the role of Department of Posts (DoP) has been greatly diminished with sharp decline in the volume of mails carried and delivered across the country and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the infrastructure and manpower of post offices are underutilized except for the operation of speed post services and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  DoP  has  any  plans  to  expand  its  saving  bank  facilitites  to  cover  commercial banking operations and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether DoP has obtained a licence from the banking regulator in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) No  Sir.  The  role  of  Department  of  Posts  (DoP)  has  not  diminished  with  the  rapid advancement  of  electronic  and  digital  communication  systems.  There  has  been  continuous growth  in  Speed  Post  from  2015-16  to  2018-19.  As  regards  Registered  Post,  volume  has remained almost constant from 2015-16 to 2018-19.  Decline in volume of Ordinary Letter mail due to advancement of electronic and digital communication is a global phenomenon. Lockdown in several parts of the country during COVID-19 pandemic has, however, affected mail volume in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Further,  computerization  and  networking  of  post  offices  has  helped  in  providing electronic and digital services to the citizens across the country including remote rural areas. Epost, Electronic Money Order, Tracking of Speed Post and Registered articles, provision of Short Messaging Service (SMS) on booking and delivery of mail, e-Post Office, Core Banking in small savings  sector,  online  payment  of  Postal  Insurance  premium,  Automated  Teller  Machines (ATMs), launch of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), are some of the major initiatives taken by Department of Posts.

(b) No, Sir. The infrastructure and manpower of post offices are fully utilized for booking and  delivery  of  mail  including  Speed  Post,  Registered  Post,  Parcels,  Unregistered  mail,  etc. Postmen  and  Gramin  Dak  Sewaks  are  also  being  engaged  by  the  Department  for  door  step delivery of financial services and Direct Benefit Transfer payments. Postal employees are also engaged in procuring Postal  Life  Insurance and  Rural Postal Life  Insurance business. Further, Post offices are also retailing following services utilizing available manpower:

- i. Aadhaar enrolment  and  updation  facility  has  been  provided  through  more  than  13,000 post offices,
- ii. In 426 post offices, Passport Seva Kendras have been set up and the service is provided by postal officials,
- iii. Services of postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks are used to provide services of India Post Payments Bank at the door step in addition to mail delivery work,
- iv. Common  Service  Centres  to  provide  various  e-governance  services  have  been  made functional in more than 27,000 post offices,
- v. Jeevan Praman service is also provided through post offices and by postmen at the door step.

(c) & (d) Department of Posts has obtained a license from the banking regulator in January, 2017 to  carry  out  payment  bank  business  in  India.  In  pursuance  of  that,  India  Post  Payments Bank (IPPB) has been set up in September, 2018 with 100% equity of the Government of India.

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