Question : OPENING OF POST OFFICES

(a) the targets set and achieved by the Government for opening of new post offices, sub-post offices and telegraph offices during the Eleventh Five Year Plan, State-wise;

(b) whether 3000 new branch post offices and 2000 sub-post offices could not be opened under the said plan in various States for want of financial approval;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard and the action taken to open the proposed post and sub-post offices expeditiously?

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 360 FOR 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2012 REGARDING “OPENING OF POST OFFICES”

(a) Circle-wise details of targets issued and achievements for opening of new Branch Post Offices (BOs) and Sub-Post Offices(SOs) during Eleventh Five Year Plan are given at Annexure-I. There was no target set by the Government for opening of new telegraph offices in the country during Eleventh Five Year Plan.

(b)& (c) During 11th Plan, new Post Offices were to be opened under the Plan Scheme – “Access to the Postal Network”. ‘Opening of BOs(Rural)’ was one of its Sub-Schemes for opening of new BOs in rural areas by creation of equal number of Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) posts. There was a proposal for opening of 3000 new BOs under this Sub Scheme. While examining the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) proposal, on the advice of the Ministry of Finance, the number of BOs to be opened was reduced to 400 BOs, which could not be opened because posts were not sanctioned. However, 292 BOs have been opened by redeployment & relocation. As regards opening of SOs, there was a proposal for opening of 2000 SOs by redeployment and 500 SOs by relocation . As per the availability of Plan support, however, targets were allocated to the Circles and 286 SOs were opened by redeployment & relocation.

(d) A proposal for continuation of the Plan Scheme – “Access to the Postal Network” during 12th Plan has been submitted to the Planning Commission for approval. The proposal contains (i) opening of BOs in rural areas by creation of new posts; (ii) opening of Sub-Post Offices by creation of new posts; (iii) opening of BOs by redeployment & relocation; and (iv) opening of SOs by redeployment & relocation. The Post Offices will be opened subject to approval of the Scheme and financial allocation.