Question : PROVISION OF BANKING SERVICES IN POST OFFICES

(a) whether the Government has received any proposal to grant permission to post offices for providing banking services in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of post offices in Maharashtra likely to be permitted to provide into banking services;

(c) whether the Department of Posts has set up adequate infrastructure for providing banking services;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) Madam, At present, as the final guidelines from Reserve Bank of India on “Licensing of payments Banks” which is otherwise called as “niche banks or” differentiated banks” are still to be issued, the Department of Posts is yet to finalize and submit the proposal for setting up of Post Bank of India (PBI).

(b) to (e) Does not arise in view of reply given to (a) above.