Sikkim postal division to launch new schemes

Gangtok, Aug 31 (UNI) The Sikkim division of Indian Postal Services will be soon collecting electricity bills for its clients from the state power department.

''We have sent a proposal to the power department in this regard.

We are already collecting bills for BSNL consumers,'' state Postal Director S S Kajjur said at a function to commemorate the 21st anniversary of speed post today.

Besides, the divison had earmarked several new initiatives to tap into the unexplored areas of the state.

A finance mart having all the finance and banking solutions under one roof would soon be started at the Head Post Office here.

''We will also be retailing mutual fund polices of UTI, Reliance and SBI through our large network spread across the state,'' Ms Kajjur said.

The state, with total 209 post offices and 182 branch offices, also aims to sell Oriental non-life insurance polices and take up registration of birth and death certificates.

''We have better reach than any health organisations,''Ms Kajjur added.

Railway reservation counters at post offices would also be operational under the new initiatives of the postal division, which is also targeting to pay pensions of the state government employees through its network.

UNI