(a) whether the Government is planning to optimally utilise and revive the postal network and to make it the world’s leading e-commerce platform;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any agreements have been entered into with e-commerce companies by the Postal Department; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (b) Department of Posts offers a number of premium mail and parcel delivery services like Speed Post, Express Parcel, Business Parcel, Logistics Post etc to generate additional revenue for the Department and optimally utilize its network. These are available to all the customers including eCommerce companies to provide booking, transmission and delivery solution for their articles including eCommerce consignments. The Department also provides facility of Cash-on-Delivery (CoD) for collection of amount and remitting back to e-Commerce companies.
There is also a web-based ePost Office at www.epostoffice.gov.in where services of sale of philatelic stamps, payment of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) premium and online generation of Electronic Indian Postal Order (eIPO) are provided.
(c) to (d) The Department of Posts offers its existing products and services like Speed Post, Express Parcel, Business Parcel etc to all customers including eCommerce companies through agreements for delivery of their goods and collection of amount towards cost of delivered goods. List of such customers is given in annexure.
Department has also entered into agreement with M/s Jasper Infotech and M/s Clues Network for sale of philatelic stamps through their eCommerce portal.