Postal money order in India goes electronic

New Delhi, Oct 10 : Department of Posts has switched over to electronic transmission of money order from today that will make remittance much faster.

However, the present service of ordinary domestic money order would also remain available in the post offices, as at present.

Electronic money order would also provide more efficient and improved quality of service to customers. These will come without any extra cost to the customer. To begin with, around 2500 Post Offices all over the country have switched over to electronic transmission of money orders.

Electronic money order would also reduce transmission of vouchers from one place to another and provide for centralized information system on the money order service. The initiative is part of the government's ongoing efforts to make a difference in the Post Office operations and make it a window to the world for the common man.

The booking facilities of electronic money order will be available in a phased manner from post offices where Wide Area Connectivity or Broadband Connectivity is available.

The connected post office will book money orders electronically for other connected Post Offices and for post offices have account with them, thereby doing away with physical movement of the Money Order forms. It will be done using a different form with pre-de fined message codes.

The connected head post office or sub post office will book money orders electronically for other connected Head Offices including sub-offices and branch-offices, under their account jurisdiction. Connected head post office would receive money orders for its non-connected Sub Post Offices and branch offices. Similarly, the connected sub post offices would receive money orders for self as well as for branch offices in account with it.

Electronic money order will have similar tariff and limits of remittance as in the case of ordinary money order. Once the process stabilizes, department may consider enhancing the maximum limit of remittance.

In the initial phase, transmission would be between Connected Head Post Offices and sub Post Offices. Once the spread of connectivity is increased, all HPOs, important sub Post Offices would be brought under the coverage.

Electronic money order can be paid at all offices including branch post offices. At the connected post office, electronic money order would be printed. In case of electronically transmitted Money Orders meant to be paid at connected post office itself, the same would be transferred to the relevant branch for payment.

ANI