Steps taken to improve working conditions of Gramin Dak Sewak

Chandigarh, Jul 25: The Department of Post has taken various initiatives to capitalize the strength of Gramin Dak Sewak who runs the post office from his house in rural areas in Punjab.

Considered the pilar of India Postal system, the Gramin Dak Sewak is facing lot of operational problems and difficulties at present and the Department of Post has taken steps to improve their working conditions and to provide quality service to the customers, Punjab Circle Chief Postmaster General Prithvi Raj Kumar said at a press conference here on Friday, July 25. Punjab Circle has a network of 3905 post offices and out of these 3414 post offices are in rural areas. As many as 3098 post offices are Extra Departmental Branch post offices run by 6037 Gramin Dak Sevaks.

Mr Kumar said alongwith removing the problems of Gramin Dak Sewak, the Department aimed at creating new business opportunities. There is a great scope of business in villages that is Postal Life Insurance, Rural Postal Life Insurance, acceptance of telephone and electricity bills and opening of Recurring Deposit and Savings Bank accounts etc.

The facilities that will be upgraded for the Gramin Dak Sewak include installation of fans in rural post offices, regular supply of stationery, allowance for chappals and increase in the money payable for delayed arrival of mail.

Mr Kumar said the Human Resources and Development Ministry had been requested to consider the possibility of allowing admissions to the wards of Gramin Dak Sewaks in Kendriya Vidalayas at par with defence and other Central Government employees.

Referring to the welfare scheme for Gramin Dak Sewaks, he said the Punjab Circle had maintained Contributory Welfare Fund under which the family of Gramin Dak Sewak is eligible for financial assistance of Rs 40,000 in case of his death.

The Chief Postmaster General said while overall loss of the postal department was declining in Punjab the department had decided to open more Gramin Post Offices for the facility of rural people even if it incurred loss upto 66 per cent.

UNI