New postal scheme 'One India One Rate' launched

Chennai, Aug 14: Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran today launched a new 'One India One Rate' scheme on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Postal Department's speed post service.

Under the scheme, comman rates have been devised for Speed Post for the entire country. A fee of Rs 25 would be charged for sending an article weighing 50 gram, throughout India and there would be no change in the existing local rates, he said after launching the new service here.

The existing local rate for articles weighing up to 200 gm was Rs 20, while the charge for sending articles to other places varied from Rs 25 to Rs 50.

Mr Maran said the Department of Posts was earning a revenue of about Rs 400 crore per annum through the speed post service, which was giving a tough competition to the courier service.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raghav Lal, Chief General Manager, Business Development and Marketing Directorate, New Delhi, said the speed post service had garnered a revenue share of 24 per cent in the domestic courier market.

Publicity events, marathons and painting competitions would be organised as part of the year-long 20th anniversary celebrations of the speed post service, he added.

Postal Services Board Member (Operation and Marketing) Vatsala Raghu said the department earned a revenue of Rs 1202.1 crore during 2005-2006 through the speed post and other premium products, registering a growth of 26.1 per cent over the previous year.

She said Chennai and Delhi speed post centres would soon have ISO certification.

UNI