Question : POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES IN RENTED BUILDINGS

(a) the number of post offices and telegraph offices in the country particularly in Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh, running in Government premises as well as in rented houses separately, State-wise and category-wise;

(b) the number of new post offices, sub-post offices and telegraph offices likely to be set up in the States, particularly in Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh during the coming year;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide postal service to all the villages of the country particularly to each and every village under Mathura region;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the number of existing residential colonies for post and telegraph employees, State-wise and area-wise;

(f) whether the number of these colonies are adequate; and

(g) if not, the steps proposed to be taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) State-wise, category-wise details of post offices and telegraph offices, running in Govt. premises as well as in rented houses is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

(b) Opening/upgrading of post offices are subject to fulfillment of norms and availability of resources. It is an ongoing process. Hence the exact number of post offices proposed to be opened this year cannot be indicated at this juncture. Information regarding telegraph offices is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

(c) & (d) Post offices will be progressively opened only in those locations which fulfil the distance, income and population norms. However, postal facilities for daily delivery of dak and sale of stamps and stationery through postmen are available in all villages. Collection of letters through letter boxes are being provided in villages with population exceeding 300. There is no separate Mathura Region. Mathura Postal Division is under Agra Region in U.P. Circle. Here also, based on and subject to the fulfillment of norms and availability of resources, as referred above, post offices will be opened. Since, it is an ongoing process specific details cannot be indicated at this juncture.

(e) to (g) State-wise, area-wise details of residential colonies for post and telegraph employees, whether these colonies are adequate and if not, the steps proposed to be taken in this regard, are being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.