Question : UPGRADATION OF POST OFFICES

(a) the number of post offices and speed post counters operating at present and the new post offices and speed post counters proposed in the country, State-wise including Maharashtra;

(b) whether the Government proposes to upgrade the existing post offices into sub-post offices and sub-post offices into head/general post office;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State and location-wise including Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand;

(d) whether the Government has also received proposals from States for opening and upgradation of post offices for the newly created districts in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto State-wise including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 178 FOR

5TH DECEMBER, 2012 REGARDING “UPGRADATION OF POST OFFICES ”

(a) 1,54,822 Post Offices (as on 31.3.2012) and 27,022 Speed Post Counters (as on date) are operating in the country. The Circle-wise break-up of these Post Offices and Speed Post Counters is at Annexure-I. Opening of Post Offices is an on-going process. New Post Offices are opened as per the prescribed norms and subject to availability of Plan funds and manpower. It has been proposed to open 80 Branch Post Offices (BOs), 50 Sub-Post Offices (SOs) by relocation of post offices/ redeployment of personnel and 300 Speed Post Counters in the country including Maharashtra during current financial year (2012-13). The Circle-wise break-up of these Post Offices is at Annexure-II.

(b) & (c) The existing Branch Post Offices and Sub Post Offices are upgraded into Sub Post Offices and Head Post Offices respectively subject to fulfillment of norms based on justification and availability of resources.

(d) & (e) Government have received 12 proposals from State Government of Maharashtra and 2 proposals from State Government of Madhya Pradesh for opening of new Post Offices in newly created districts. The details regarding locations of new Post Offices and action taken thereon are at Annexure-III.