ORISSA DAK PARIVAR

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

PM: Postal network can become a driving force for Indian Economy

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Prime Minister's Office

07-January-2015 13:43 IST

PM: Postal network can become a driving force for Indian Economy

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today said that the postal network can become a driving force for the Indian Economy, just like the Indian Railways. His remarks came during the presentation of a report by the task force on leveraging the post office network. The Prime Minister, after an initial discussion on various aspects of the report, has directed that the recommendations of the task force be studied in detail within a short period of time, so that necessary follow-up action can be initiated.

The Prime Minister said the postman, along with the teacher, is the most respected Government employee in rural areas.

The Prime Minister said the Department of Posts has huge assets across India, and ways should be explored to suitably use these assets for the benefit of the people. He said post offices in rural areas can be used to deliver services and important government information to individual households.

The Minister for Communication and IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, was present on the occasion. The presentation on behalf of the task force was given by its Chairman, Shri T.S.R. Subramanian.

Posted by: AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) Odisha Circle.

SAVE POSTAL SAVE BSNL

The forum of BSNL unions and Associations of Non-Executives and executives has decided programme of agitations stage by stage from Jan 2015 –

(1) 3 days Dharna at all District & Circle level from 6^th Jan 2015 to 08^th January 2015

(2) Parliament March of BSNL workers on 25^th Feb 2015

(3) Indefinite Strike from 17^th March 2015.

It is also decided to submit a memorandum signed by more than one Crore people and employees to the Prime Minister on the day of Parliament March with demands for taking necessary measures for revival of BSNL.

A massive “ Save BSNL Campaign” is also being organized. BSNL Union / Associations are seeking our full support and solidarity in the Save BSNL Campaign and the programmes of action. Yes, it is also being our responsibility to save BSNL along with Postal as a citizen of India & as a Central Govt. Employees. P&T Services in India have a long history spanning more than one and half century (1851), Since 1851 it is providing communications in all parts of country along with Postal.

Till 1985 it was the Posts & Telegraph combined to serve the nation by providing telegraph and telephone services. In both services new technologies were introduced one after another which not only improved the services, but made it faster and faster, which was the requirement of the Govt. and the People. In 1985 breaking the connection of Postal Department of telecommunication was formed. After 1990, The new liberalization policy of the Central Govt. had its affect on the telecom services also – In 1994-95 Private companies were given license for providing mobile services.

In 2000 by formation of VSNL/MTNL/BSNL. it was corporatized. Corporatization was the first step towards privatization, as already seen in the case of VSNL which has been handed over to TATA’s and now a Private Company, TATA Communications. BSNL & MTNL are still now PSU fully owned by the Central Government, while MTNL provided service in Delhi & Mumbai, BSNL providing Telecom Services all over India.

Now what is wrong with BSNL? Why it is under loss? Why it is facing difficulty of Services?. It is very easy to find out answer -

(1) while at the time of formation. BSNL was having about forty thousand crore cash balance at its disposal, this was not allowed to use effectively for expansion and development

(2) BSNL is providing maximum Telecom Services in rural area with huge loss and risk. Each land line provided and maintained will result loss to company

(3) at the time of corporatization Govt. assured for financial support was not fulfilled but it was extended to Private Telecom companies...

(4) While BSNL working under the directions of Govt. and implementing the policy decisions of Govt. for universal service and work for security of the country and people , how can it equated with the private company to pay license fee ?

Instead of giving priority to its own company “BSNL Govt. have been helping and favouing the private Telecoms i.e. Private companies were given mobile license in 1994-95 while BSNL got license after six years in 2002- when the 3G BWA spectrum was allotted BSNL was compelled to shell out 18500 crore for private company.

It was 5000 to 7000 crore only for the same & BSNL was allotted spectrum of lesser standard. While Govt. preaches about equal field why it is discriminated against BSNL. In the race of competition to provide better and efficient services for growth and expansion. The procurement of necessary equipment is important. The latest technology should be used when and where latest innovation have taken place.

Even BSNL is having biggest market share in the land line and Brand Bond Services. It is not enough to give service in fast growing mobile upto the customers’ the delight. Because of all these reasons BSNL is under loss for the last four years.

Now BSNL unions took the initiatives in fighting against the anti-BSNL policies of the Govt. for an efficient management and for active participation of the workers.

Comrade, While task force report in our door step to corporatize the Postal, let us learn a lesson from BSNL and think about our future. Today BSNL Tomorrow may Postal?

Kindly cooperate and support with BSNL struggle at all levels without fail. Let us unitedly give a slogan

‘SAVE POSTAL - SAVE BSNL'

FOR PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY AND SECURITY

AND SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR COUNTRY.

//COPY//

Task Force Committee Report

Lay Out Plan of Privatization of Department of Posts

A high power committee named as Task Force on leveraging the Post Office Network headed by Shri T.S.R. Subramaian Ex. Cabinet Secretary consisting 8 other members having expertise in other fields was appointed by Prime Minister of India. The main object of this Committee was stated to study and make recommendations regarding leveraging the Post Office Network in India and bring it in line with changing market trends and the emerging competition with focus on mail and parcel services particularly in rural areas upgrading of infrastructure and technology incorporating the best global practices available as also by introducing new services and participation of multiple players and to make the Department of Post financially viable.

When Task Force Committee was appointed many of our Comrades were presuming that Good Days (Achchhe Din) of Postal Department are likely to come. But it was a question before us that when Govt. is attacking all sectors like Railways, Defence, Public Sector Banks, LIC & BSNL etc. Why alone Postal Department will get good days only.

NFPE leaders also met with Chairman of Task Force and during the course of discussion he told that Postal Department will be benefited by the recommendations of Task Force and more jobs will be generated and there will be no adverse impact on staff.

But when the report was published it was clearly an indication of Govt’s hidden agenda to corporatize the main functions of Department of Posts. Accordingly to the report the Deptt. Of Posts will be divided in to six units. i.e.
(i) Banking and financial services
(ii) Insurance (PLI/RPLI),
(iii) Distribution of third party products (Services on behalf of private parties on payment basis),
(iv) Management of Govt. services
(v) Parcel & Packets and
(vi) Communication delivery

First five units are designated as strategic Business units and sixth unit will deliver mails at subsidized rates. Under Deptt. Of Posts a Holding Company “India Post (Financial and other services) Corporation ” will be formed. The Corporation will consist Board of Members and one Chairman from the Board Members.

All the five separate subsidiary Companies will also have separate Boards. In the course of time Govt. may disinvest of its part of Holding and new Corporation will raise fund from share market and thereafter will also be listed in share market in future.

It is stated in the report that five subsidiary Companies will make profit and contribute to meet the loss of sixth unit.

The Task Force Committee has also recommended for amendment of Indian Post Office Act 1898 and to bring another Postal Act. “India Post (Financial and other services)” Corporation Act" for reorganization of Deptt. of Posts by creating new Corporate Structure.

Based on the above facts it is crystal clear that the recommendations of Task Force are a layout plan for corporatization and privatization, thereafter just like happened with Telecom Deptt.

So this is the first and foremost duty of every Postal employee to oppose this dangerous and retrograde move of Govt. of India to Corporatize and privatize the Deptt. of Post and defeat it. Entire employees should come under one banner of JCA and oppose unitedly this Task Force Committee report. Our slogan should be -

“Save Postal and save India Post”

If we allow NDA Govt. to corporatize the functions of the Deptt. of Posts, it will be the beginning of end of Govt. run Postal Services in India. The decision of Postal Joint Council of Action (NFPE, FNPO, AIPEU GDS (NFPE) and NUGDS) to go on indefinite strike from 6th May 2015 should also be strengthened further by adding the demand in the Charter of Demands.

“No Corporatization in Postal Services”

So we should be ready for a do and die battle.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Sale of Rs. 300 Tirumala darsan tickets commences at post offices

TTD Executive Officer D. Sambasiva Rao and Chief Post Master General B.V. Sudhakar handing over a Rs.300 darshan ticket to a woman devotee at the Tirupati Head Post Office on Monday. Post Master General Meera Ranjan Tshering is also seen. Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar

Buoyed by the success of the pilot project of issuing ‘Rs.300 special entry darshan tickets’, Department of Posts (DoP), in association with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), has decided to extend the service through all the 95 head post offices in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from Monday.

The project, offering TTD’s darshan tickets, was envisaged on December 1 last year through nine post offices across five districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with the intention of reaching out to more people. Positive reviews emerging from various corners of the two States prompted the officials to launch the facility through head post offices.

Inaugurating the services at Tirupati's Head Post Office here on Monday, TTD Executive Officer D. Sambasiva Rao said this method of booking would be more pilgrim-friendly when compared to internet booking/e-darshan as majority of the population including rural masses would have access to post offices.

As many as 5,000 tickets would be allocated by the TTD in different slots for post offices falling under the project. Devotees could book the tickets four weeks in advance so as to plan their itinerary. The facility would also be available at sub post offices at Narasampet (Warangal district) and Madanapalli Bazaar (Chittoor District).

In wake of complaints against internet booking of Rs. 300 tickets, TTD was contemplating ensuring booking in post offices with internet facility. To the suggestion of Chief Post Master General B.V. Sudhakar to enable booking of accommodation and kalyana mandapams through HPOs, Mr. Sambasiva Rao said the TTD would look into the feasibility of introducing the facility.

Postmaster General Meera Ranjan Tsering and District Postal Services D.V.S.R. Murthy from Kurnool region, Tirupati Superintendent of Posts T.A.V. Sarma, TTD Deputy Executive Officer C. Ramana, GM Transport Sesha Reddy, EDP Manager Bhaskar and other officials took part.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/