(a) whether duplicate postal stamps are in circulation in the country;
(b) if so, the number of cases that have come to the notice of the government so far and the action taken thereon;
(c) the total requirement of postal stamps in the country during the current financial year;
(d) whether there is any shortage of postal stamps in the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.111 FOR 31ST JULY, 2000 REGARDING DUPLICATE POSTAL STAMPS.
In the last two years only 16 cases were reported on fake stamps in the country from different Postal Circles and immediate actions were taken in this regard. All these cases were reported to the Police/CBI and the Police authorities have arrested 32 persons involved in these cases - 19 outsiders and 13 departmental officials. All the arrested officials have been suspended. While the Police/CBI investigations in these cases are in progress, the Department has simultaneously initiated action and identified 9 more officials for their involvement. Thus, out of 22 officials action has been initiated against 10 officials. In the case of remaining 12 officials, on account of Police inquiries being in progress, departmental action could not be initiated. The Department has also issued detailed instructions to all Heads of Circles to further tighten up vigilance against use of fake stamps.
Details regarding fake stamps detected/seized, number of persons involved and the number of persons arrested are appended to the Statement including the names of the post offices involved in these cases.
The total requirement of postage stamps in the country during the current financial year is estimated as 6,84,25,400 issue sheets (5,77,73,300 of Public Postage Stamps and 1,06,21,000 of Service Postage stamps). These postage stamps are printed by the Govt. of India security press, ISP Nashik and distributed through all post offices in the country. As present there is shortage of Rs.50 denomination Public Postage Stamp only in Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam and Tamilnadu Circles because this is a multicoloured stamp and the photogravure printing machine `Rambrent` used by ISP Nashik for printing of multicoloured stamps is out of order and under repair. The Department has taken necessary action to supply sufficient quantities of Rs.20/- and Rs.10/- denomination Public Postage Stamps to make up for the shortage of this denomination. There is no other shortage of Public Postage Stamps of any other denomination.
APPENDIX
Sl Name of Place Date of Details of No. of No.of circle detection fake stamps persons persons detected / involved arrested seized
Denm No Value Dept ED Out- Dept Out- Total (Rs) sider sider
1. Assam Naharbari PO April,99 5/- 13 65/- 1 1 1 1 2 1/- 8 8/-
2. Delhi NDRS TMO Feb.,99 10/- 3 30/- 3 2 - - - Janakpuri & Jan.,2000 10/- 15 150/- DES col.PO
3. West Calcutta GPO 50/- 15 750/- 4 - 5 4 5 9 Bengal
4. Rajas- Jaipur Jan,99 2/- 894 1788/- 2 2 3 4 3 7 than 1/- 3811 3811/-
5. Bihar Ashok Nagar Mar,99 5/- 7 35/- 1 - - - - - (Ranchi) 10/- 2 20/- Barh(Nalanda) Sept.99 2/- 41 82/- 1 Jamalpur Oct.99 2/- 12 24/- Patna Mar,99 5/- 198 990/- Patna Mar,99 5/- 12 60/- Bankipori HO Mar,99 2/- 2 4/-
6. Mahara- Aurangabad June99 20/- 2 40/- 1 - - 1 - 1 shtra Thane (Mumbai) Nov.99 1,2,3, 3,30,48,530/ 1 7 1 7 8 5,10, - 20,50 & 1/- Rev.
7. U.P. Noida & May,2000 1,2,3, NA 32, 100 - - 3 - 3 3 Meerut 5,10/- Tetri Bazar July,2000 - 86 430 2 - - 2 - 2 Basti 5/-
8. N.E. Dimapur Sept.99 5/- 72/- 360/- 2
Total 3,30,89,253/ 18 4 19 13 19 32