Question : POST OFFICE IN VILLAGES

(a) the details of post offices in the country separately in rural villages and urban cities along with the number of post offices opened in village during each of the last three years and the current year, tate/ UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has received proposals for opening of post offices and branch post offices particularly in villages;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise and the action taken by the Government thereon;

(d) whether there is a shortage of Grameen Dak Sevaks in the rural post offices; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. (SMT.) KILLI KRUPARANI)

(a) The Circle-wise and category-wise number of post offices in urban and rural areas in the country as on 31.03.2013 is at Annexure-I. The Circle-wise number of post offices opened during last three years and post offices decided to open during current year in rural areas is at Annexure-II.

(b)&(c) Yes, Madam. The Circle-wise number of proposals received for opening of post offices including branch post offices and status of action taken on the proposals is at Annexure-III.

(d)&(e) Shortage of incumbents to the posts of Grameen Dak Sevaks do occur from time to time on attaining the age of superannuation, absorption to regular departmental posts, resignation, death, etc. The shortage is met through ongoing process of engagement, combination of duties or alternatively by allowing the Grameen Dak Sevaks of the neighbouring offices to function as part of stop gap arrangement.

As on 01.01.2013, there had been a shortfall of 12.40% of the sanctioned posts of approved categories of Grameen Dak Sevaks in the country and instructions have already been issued to concerned Postal Circles for filling up of all vacant posts of different categories of Grameen Dak Sevaks within a set time frame after following provisions of the recruitment rules and policy guidelines on the subjects.