Postal dept to tie up with AP Govt for pension disbursement

Hyderabad, Aug 31 (UNI) After successful handling of a large number of savings bank account for disbursement of wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), the Postal Department proposed to take up the task of disbursement of pensions to disabled and old people in Andhra Pradesh State.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Postmaster General Yesodhara Menon told reporters here today that the State Government had in principle agreed to disburse pensions through the department and talks were at an advanced stage to work out the details.

As many as 45 lakh savings bank accounts were opened in the state for labourers under the NREGS and Rs 745 crore was transferred to beneficiary accounts by the department, she said. With the extension of the programme to 19 districts in the state, the postal department, which was being paid two per cent of the transaction as commission, would generate a business of Rs 1,200 crore this year.

The Postal Department, in collaboration with the External Affairs Ministry, would officially launch centres exclusively for handling passport applications at Nizamabad, Warangal and Kavali, Ms Menon said, adding that the two centres opened in Hyderabad were getting tremendous response from the public.

The department, along with the State Bank of India, had jointly launched a pilot scheme in 17 post offices in Chittoor and Guntur districts to sell various banking instruments to the public. The scheme would be extended to other districts in phases, she added.

UNI