Question : INDIA POST LOGISTICS

(a) whether the India Post is having any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Air India for providing transportation services for Air Consignments of India Post Logistics (IPL);

(b) if so, the present status thereof;

(c) whether the services are operative as on date and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure supply of essential items to North East and other areas;

(e) whether the Government is having any proposal to compel the private airlines to have an MoU with IPL; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c) Yes Madam, facility for air transmission of Logistics Post articles is being provided under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Air India among 15 stations, including Agartala, Imphal and Guwahati in North East region. The service is operative as on date.

(d): Essential items to North East and other areas sent through Air Logistics Post are carried by air wherever air services are operative and thereafter by fastest means of transmission. Other Logistics Post items are sent by surface mode.

(e) to (f) The carriage requirement of Department for Logistics Post Air Consignments are being fulfilled by the network of Air India and there is no proposal for compelling private airlines for Memorandum of Understanding for Logistics Post. However, the services of private airlines are also utilized for North East and other sectors as and when required for mail carriage.