VELLORE: “There is no need for the postal department to continue with the practice of allowing branch post offices (BPOs) to function from the residence of the branch postmasters anymore,” said Indira Krishnakumar, Principal Chief Postmaster-General, Tamil Nadu Circle.
Addressing the open session of the 38th Circle Conference of the All India Association of Inspectors of Post Offices (IPs)/Assistant Superintendents of Post Offices (ASPs), Tamil Nadu Circle Branch, here on Thursday, Ms. Krishnakumar made the above statement in response to the mention by one of the speakers, of the fact that the IP and ASP in Sriperumbudur were functioning from their residence.
The department could always take houses on rent for running post offices, she said, and asked the Postmaster General (PMG), Chennai City Region, to address the issue.
Referring to the representation that computers should be provided to the divisional and sub-divisional offices, Ms. Krishnakumar said that there were some limitations in sanctioning funds for computers, but the Regional Director of Postal Services could relax the conditions on her recommendation.
If the matter was put up to her, she said she would recommend the relaxation of the conditions and facilitate the supply of computers to these offices. The department would take steps to provide bath-attached rest rooms in all branch post offices for the benefit of IPs and ASPs, especially for women who went there for inspection.
Ms. Krishnakumar acknowledged the services of the IPs and ASPs who, she said, were the pillars of the department. She said that when she was serving in Orissa, the government there signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Postal Department for the collection of road tax in the post offices. The Regional Transport Authority in that State was impressed with the efficiency of the IPs and ASPs, she said. M.S. Ramanujan, PMG, Chennai City Region, said that the Postal Department has started supplying computers to sub-divisional offices. It has a proposal to supply laptops to the sub-divisional officers and IPs.
The department was also thinking of utilising the services of women self-help groups for providing postal services in rural areas.
He called upon the sub-divisional officers to interact with village administrative officers, SHGs and school headmasters to know the feedback of the postal services in the villages and try to improve the services, and also to establish business partnerships with the SHGs.
S.P. Rajalingam, PMG, Central Region, Tiruchi, said that the Postal Department was today at a juncture where it had to strengthen itself and prove its relevance to society. The IPs, ASPs and other officials should develop their skills. “You have good talents, but your Superintendents are not giving their reports in time,” he said, adding that only if the higher officials submit their reports in time, the department would know the shortcomings in the functioning of the branch and rural post offices.
S. Samuel, General Secretary, All India Association of IPs/ASPs, Circle Headquarters, Chennai, said computers were given only to the post offices and not to the sub-divisional offices.
“How can the ASPs render quality public service when they are working with shortcomings”? he asked. The Central and State governments, he said, were willing to construct buildings for schools and panchayat union offices, but not for branch post offices. “How long can BPOs function in the residences of the branch postmasters”? He asked the Postal Department to write to the State government that whenever they construct school buildings and primary health centres, they should also provide accommodation for the BPOs.
K. Ezhil, circle secretary, inaugurated the open session. S. Ravi, circle president, presided. R. Balachandar, secretary, reception committee, welcomed the gathering. S. Vasudevan, president, reception committee, proposed a vote of thanks.