(a) whether the Government have any plans to introduce the scientific developments and technological innovations in the fields of Post and Telegraph in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the approximate quantity of posts mailed through speed post during the last three years, year-wise;
(d) whether the Government propose to revise the rates for the speed post;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) & (b) The Government has already introduced various applications of technology in the Post such as setting up of computer based multipurpose counter machine in important post offices with concept of single window for all kinds of transactions. Automatic mail Processing Centres have been established at Mumbai and Chennai. 77 VSATs have been installed and another 62 are in the process of being installed. The VSATs are being used presently for money transfer and the VSAT network ultimately would be the intranet of the Department of Posts. Further, the Micro-Processor Electronic Gadgets like Store and Forward Message Switching System (SFMSS), Electronic Key Board Concentrators Terminal Concentrators (FTCs) have been introduced in the National Telegraphic Network. The details of the systems are given in the Annexure.
(c) The details of traffic for the last three years in respect of Speed Post articles are as under:-
1996-97 - 112.4 lakhs 1997-98 - 141.4. lakhs 1998-99 - 195.95 lakhs(d) No such decision has so far been taken in this regard.
Name of Telecom SFMSS SFMSS SFMSS EKBC/EKB FTC/FT Circle 128 64 32
Andaman &Nikobar Nil/1 Andhra Pradesh 1 1 8/39 4/146 Assam 1 9/96 Bihar 1 1 3/2 0/1 Gujarat 1 1 18/88 4/64 Haryana 1 3/46 0/12 Himachal Pradesh 1 6/48 0/7 Jammu & Kashmir 1 4/25 0/2 Karnataka 1 1 1 14/130 0/32 Kerala 1 1 1 18/74 0/48 Madhya Pradesh 1 4 4/8 Maharashtra 2 2 4 43/368 0/114 North East 1 3/14 Orissa 2 2/8 Punjab 1 1 14/39 1/32 Rajasthan 1 1 32/209 2/28 Tamil Nadu 1 3 4 60/496 4/169 Uttar Pradesh(East) 1 3 14/0 3/54 Uttar Pradesh(West) 3 10/30 3/44 West Bengal 1 28/233 Northern Telecom 1 3/70 1/16 Region, New Delhi
TOTAL 10 13 30 301/2074 22/749
LEGEND:
SFMSS Store & Forward Message Switching System EKBC Electronic Key Board Concentrators EKB Electronic Key Board FTC Formatted Terminal Concentrator FT Formatted Terminal