Question : CLOSURE OF POST OFFICE

(a) whether the number of Post Offices have been closed in the country specially in Rajasthan during the last three years;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) the mechanism evolved for resolving the problems being faced by the people due to closure of these Post Offices;

(d) the reasons for not taking public representatives into confidence before taking the decision for closure of these Post Offices; and

(e) the reasons for discontinuance of public representatives meeting held every year at CPMG level in all States?

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

(a) Yes, Sir. A small number of Post Offices have been closed down in the country during the years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07. However, in Rajasthan Circle, no Post Offices have been closed down during the above three years.

(b) These Post Offices were closed down due to unavoidable circumstances e.g. completion of construction work of a dam, dilapidated accommodation, Court Orders for vacation of buildings and availability of Post Offices in close proximity.

(c) Before closure of any Post Office, care has been taken to ensure that other Post Offices are available in the vicinity and that level of access to postal network is not affected and customers are not put to inconvenience. The interests of customers have been kept in mind before closure of these Post Offices.

(d) The Post Offices are closed due to unavoidable circumstances as enumerated in part (b) above. Further, the Post Offices are closed as per administrative instructions aimed at right-sizing the postal network keeping in view the prescribed norms.

(e) No such meeting with the public representatives is prescribed.