Lok Sabha Question No. 4186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Computerization and Digitalization of Post Offices
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4186 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  MARCH, 2025

## COMPUTERIZATION AND DIGITALIZATION OF POST OFFICES

## 4186.   SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the total number of Head Post Offices (HO), Sub-Post Offices (SO) and Branch Post Offices (BO) currently operational in West Bengal along with a district-wise breakdown;
- (b) whether there has been any increase or decrease in the number of post offices in West Bengal during the last five years and reasons for any closures or relocations;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of shortage of staff, delay in postal deliveries and poor infrastructure in several post offices in West Bengal and if so, the measures being taken to address these issues;
- (d) the status of computerization and digitalization of post offices in West Bengal;
- (e) whether all post offices have been integrated with core banking and digital payment systems, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether there are any pending proposals to set up new post offices in underdeveloped or high-demand areas of West Bengal and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) There are 8783 post offices including 46 Head Post Offices, 1669 Sub-Post Offices and 7068 Branch Post Offices operational in West Bengal. District-wise details are given in Annexure .
- (b) There is an increase of 20 new Post offices, established in West Bengal in the last five years.
- (c) Recruitment to fill up vacant posts is a continuous process and is being done regularly through meetings  of  Departmental  Promotion  Committee,  departmental  examinations,  direct  recruitment through Staff Selection Commission, GDS online engagement portal and by individual Postal Circles as per the provisions of relevant Recruitment Rules. To expedite safe and secure delivery of parcels, Postal Road Transport Network has been put in place along with facilities of online track and trace facility and real time updation of delivery information etc. Under IT 2.0, various field infra items have  been  provided  for  field  post  Offices  through  west  Bengal  circle  which  includes  desktop, printers, laptops, mobile phones, thermal printers, biometrics scanners, pass book printers, tablets, projectors, USB, cameras, VC System, UPS, etc.

(d) & (e) All the Post Offices are computerized in West Bengal. All Post Offices have been migrated to Core Banking platform, except one Sub Post Office (Gajoldoba SO). At present, Digital Payment is available at all Head Post Offices and Branch Post Offices.

(f) Opening of new post offices is an ongoing process. New post offices are opened in needy and justified areas based on prescribed norms.  There are two proposals viz. opening of a new Sub-Post office under Pachim Burdwan district and opening of a new Branch post office under Darjeeling District which is under process in West Bengal.

## ANNEXURE

Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) for Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.  4186 to be answered on 26 TH  March, 2025 regarding 'Computerization and Digitalization of Post Offices'

| Name of District   |   Number of Post Offices (Head Post Offices, Sub-Post Offices and Branch Post Offices) |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Kolkata            |                                                                                    214 |
| South 24 PGS       |                                                                                    805 |
| North PGS          |                                                                                    662 |
| Nadia              |                                                                                    459 |
| Murshidabad        |                                                                                    587 |
| Birbhum            |                                                                                    478 |
| Purba Bardhaman    |                                                                                    542 |
| Paschim Bardhaman  |                                                                                    217 |
| Howrah             |                                                                                    344 |
| Hooghly            |                                                                                    511 |
| Purulia            |                                                                                    445 |
| Paschim Midnapur   |                                                                                    596 |
| Purba Midnapur     |                                                                                    635 |
| Jhargram           |                                                                                    188 |
| Bankura            |                                                                                    492 |
| Jalpaiguri         |                                                                                    210 |
| Alipurduar         |                                                                                    158 |
| Coochbehar         |                                                                                    303 |
| Kalingpong         |                                                                                     45 |
| Darjeeling         |                                                                                    178 |
| Malda              |                                                                                    338 |
| Uttar Dinajpur     |                                                                                    207 |
| Dakshin Dinajpur   |                                                                                    169 |
| TOTAL              |                                                                                   8783 |

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