(a) the target fixed for setting up of post offices and sub-post offices in all the village Panchayats and far-flung, hilly areas in the country, State-wise, including Himachal Pradesh
during the current Five Year Plan;
(b) whether the Government proposes to give relaxation in regard to criteria fixed for
setting up of the said post offices;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the time by which these are likely to be set up?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI
GURUDAS KAMAT)
(a) Target of 3000 Branch Post Offices and 2000 Sub Post offices was planned for whole of
the country (including Himachal Pradesh) for the current Five Year Plan.
(b) Relaxation in norms already exists in respect of hilly, tribal, desert and inaccessible
areas, which includes most parts of Himachal Pradesh.
(c) As against the prescribed norms for normal rural areas viz. population of 3000 souls,
distance of 3 kms and income of 33 1/3% vis-Ã -vis the cost incurred, relaxed norms for hilly
and tribal areas are population of 500 souls in respect of single village and 1000 souls in
respect of group of villages served by the proposed Post Offices as also income of 15% vis-Ã
-vis the cost incurred. Besides, the minimum distance can also be relaxed by the Directorate
under special circumstances only.
(d) The Post Offices as per the target are likely to be opened as soon as the required
posts are created to man these proposed offices for which financial approval is awaited.