Question : NORMS FOR OPENING NEW POST OFFICES

(a) whether the Government has fixed any criteria/norms for opening of new post offices or sub-post offices in any area particularly in a village;

(b) if so, the details thereof separately for post offices and sub-post offices along with the details of post offices functioning in the country, State-wise as on date;

(c) the number of villages which fulfill said criteria and are still without post offices and the time by which these villages are likely to be provided with post offices;

(d) whether Government proposes to provide additional service in post offices and make other products available therein; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The Government has fixed a set of norms based on which proposals for opening of new post offices in rural areas are examined. The same are furnished at Annexure-I, separately for Gramin Dak Sewak Post Offices (GDSPOs) and Sub-Post Offices (SOs). The State-wise and category-wise numbers of Post Offices functional in the country (as on 31.03.2014) are at Annexure-II.

(c) State-wise numbers of villages without post offices in the country (as on 31.03.2014) are at Annexure-III. The norms (Annexure-I) fixed by the Department of Posts on the subject of opening of post offices in rural areas are qualificatory in nature. In other words these norms do not tantamount to a set of criteria, the fulfillment of which mandates the opening of post offices in villages. This is because India has the largest network of post offices and one of the most dense networks of post offices in the world and the extent of the network is considered to be sufficient to meet the postal needs of the country. However, the Postal Department pursues an on-going activity of rationalization of postal network under which new post offices are opened by relocation and redeployment in needy areas, based on requests/proposals received. New post offices are opened subject to fulfillment of the aforesaid norms and availability of funds and other resources.

(d) & (e) Yes, Madam. New Savings Schemes namely
(i) Kisan Vikas Patra; and (ii) Sukanya Samriddhi Account for girl child, have been made available through Departmental Post Offices.