Question : OPENING OF POST OFFICES

(a) the number of post offices in the rural and urban areas in the country, Circle/ Category-wise;

(b) the number of post offices proposed to be opened in the country during the current year;

(c) the number of post offices closed during the last three years and the current year along with the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has any proposal to operate Railway Passenger Reservation through post offices in the country; and

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

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

(a) Circle-wise number of Post Offices in rural and urban areas in the country (as on 31.3.2014) is at Annexure-I.

(b) Circle-wise number of Post Offices proposed to be opened by redeployment & relocation in the country during the current financial year is at Annexure-II.

(c) Circle-wise number of Post Offices closed during 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15 is at Annexure-III. Post Offices were closed down as a result of merger on need to vacate rented premises and relocation of post offices resulting from rationalization to cater to new habitations.

(d) & (e) The Department of Posts has been providing Railway Passenger Reservation (booking/ cancellation) facility through Post Offices in association with Ministry of Railways since 2007. As on December, 2013 this service is being offered through 281 Post Offices.