Question : HIKE IN POSTAL TARIFFS



(a) whether the Government have recently hiked the postal tariffs;

(b) if so, the criteria adopted in revising the postal tariffs;

(c) whether the Union Government have declared 2001 a ` Year of Book`;

(d) if so, the impact of hike in postal tariff on the various schemes under `Year of Book`;

(e) whether the Federation of Indian Publishers has made any request in this regard to the Government;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)


(a) to (g): 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 (g) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 4 FOR 23rd JULY, 2001 REGARDING HIKE IN POSTAL TARIFFS.

The Government have revised postal rates with effect from 1st June, 2001 in respect of some of the services. While fixing the rates of postal services the interest of common man, the cost of providing such services and the role of postal services in meeting the requirements of all customers in the society etc. are taken into account. Even with the increased rates most of these postal services will generate revenue far less than their respective cost of operation. The Union government have declared the year 2001-2002 a `Year of Book`. However, the impact of revision of postal tariff will not be felt as some of the postal rates have been revised marginally after a gap of 10 to 14 years. Besides, a concessional fee of Rs. 2.50 is payable for value payable book packet containing printed books, the value of which does not exceed Rs. 50/-.

The Federation of Indian Publishers requested to maintain the existing tariff and wanted no revision of rates for the next 10 years. The issue regarding increase in postal rates as raised by the Federation of Indian Publishers were considered and discussed in an inter Ministry level meeting on 9th April, 2001 in which the representatives of Indian Publishers were also present. In the meeting it was clarified that the revision of postal rates made after a lapse of 10 years gap and that the increase was of marginal nature. Such periodic revisions could not be avoided.