Thursday, April 30, 2015

30 April : Dadasaheb Phalke birth anniversary

Dadasaheb Phalke
"Those who are susceptible to depravity do not need cinema or theatre to mislead them. There are numerous other factors which lead to immorality." - Dadasaheb Phalke.

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, born in a Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin family and popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke (b. 30 April 1870 - d. 16 February 1944) was an Indian producer, director and screenwriter, known as the father of Indian cinema. Starting with his debut film, Raja Harishchandra in 1913, now known as India's first full-length feature, he made 95 movies and 26 short films in his career spanning 19 years, till 1937, including his most noted works: Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918) and Kaliya Mardan (1919).

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for lifetime contribution to cinema, was instituted in his honor by the Government of India in 1969. The award one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cinema and is the highest official recognition for film personalities in the country. A variant, honorary Award from The Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Mumbai was Introduced in the year 2001, for life time achievement in Indian cinema.

CHQ News.....

It is to inform that GS will be out of headquarters for few weeks for his personal and family work. In case of any emergency, members may contact to AGS-I Shri P. Ajith Kumar ASP (RB), Postal Directorate on his mobile No. 09582425999.

Deputation of Sri K.K.Sharma, PMG, Kurnool Region(Designate) to Karnataka state Govt

It was communicated vide Postal Directorate Memo No. PF-IPoS-108/SPG dated 24.04.2015 that the services of Sri K. K. Sharma (IPoS 1990), presently posted as PMG, Kurnool Region are placed at the disposal of Government of Karnataka on deputation to work as Faculty, Fiscal Policy Institute, Bangalore.

Additional charge of Kerala Circle to CPMG Maharastra Circle

It was communicated vide Postal Directorate Memo No. 1-23/2014 - SPG dated 23.04.2015 that Sri Ashok Kumar Dash (IPoS 1984), CPMG, Maharashtra circle will hold additional charge of CPMG, Kerala circle during the leave period of Sri A. N. Nanda (IPoS 1982), CPMG, Kerala circle from 20.04.2015 to 15.05.2015 in addition to his own duties.

CAT Case : Upgradation of GP of Inspector Posts....updates!!!

OA No. 289/13 filed by Association is posted on 18/6/2015 for final hearing before the Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench.  

The representatives of Kerala Circle branch met our Counsel and discussed the matter for filing of MA for early hearing after summer vacation of court. 

Retirement in the month of April 2015

Today, following PS Gr. B / JTS Gr. A officers retired from Govt. Service on superannuation.

Sl. No.
Name of Officer
Designation
Circle
1
Sri Y. S. Rathore
SSPOs, Chandigarh Div, Chandigarh
Punjab
2
Sri B. M. Meshram
SSPOs, Nagpur City Dn;
Maharashtra
3
Sri B. D. Pradhan
ADPS o/o PMG, Sambalpur
Odisha
4
Sri J. Paul Athisayanathan
Chief PM, Chennai GPO
Tamil Nadu
5
Sri V. Kunhiraman
Sr. PM, Calicut HO
Kerala
6
Sri Ram Nath Ojha
Asstt. Director
Directorate
7
Sri Ram Lal

APS
8
Sri G. L. Wardhani
Sr. PM, Indore HO
Madhya Pradesh
9
Sri R. Rajendran
SP, PSD, Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu

CHQ wishes them a very happy, healthy and long retired life. In few circles, senior ASPs are working on adhoc basis in PS Gr. B cadre and retiring without getting regular PS Gr. B promotion, their names are not included in the list, the same may kindly be reported to GS by SMS.


Monetary ceiling of briefcase/ladies purses for official purposs decided by Directorate

As everyone knows that Directorate vide memo No. 15-1/2011-GA dated 26/10/2012 has revised the financial limits of expenditure / reimbursement of expenditure on purchase of briefcases / ladies purses for the staff working in Postal Directorate. 

CHQ vide their letter No. CHQ/AIAIPASP/Misc/2013 dated 31/7/2013 requested Directorate to pass orders to circles / regions with direction to maintain uniformity at all levels as per revised limit contained in above said memo and if needed be copy of said memo dated 26/10/2012 may kindly be ordered to circulate amongst all so that circles may not have any excuse to adhere to the prescribed limit. Directorate was reminded on 21/10/2013, 12/7/2014 and 7/2/2015. This issue was also discussed in informal meetings held with the then Secretary (Posts) and the then Member (P). All Circle Secretaries were also directed to take up the through their circles. 

The request of Association was considered by the Directorate and fresh memo under No. 23-1/2013-PAP dated 16th April 2015 circulated to all head of the circles. The copy of the memo is as under;


It was told that in few circles, no such amount is granted to IP/ASP. It is requested to all members to take up the matter with their controlling head / unit. 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

RAJYA SABHA Q&A regarding Post Bank of India & Task force Recommendations on PBI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS     

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.163
                                        TO BE ANSWERED ON 24TH APRIL, 2015

POSTAL BANKS

163. DR. PRADEEP KUMAR BALMUCHU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a)       whether it is a fact that Government is urging the Department of Posts to come up with opening of Postal Banks in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b)       whether the Subramanian Committee, to which the matter had been referred, has submitted its report and has made recommendations in this regard; and

(c)        if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)       Sir, the Department of Posts has submitted an application to Reserve Bank of India on 30.1.2015 seeking license for setting up Post Bank of India under the rubric of “Payments Bank”. The Government is committed to increasing access of the people to the formal financial system and in this context, Government proposes to utilize the vast Postal network with nearly 1, 54,000 points of presence spread across the villages of the country.  The Government hopes that the Postal Department will make its proposed Payments Bank venture successful so that it contributes further to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The details of the proposed Post Bank would be finalized once the Reserve Bank of India takes a favourable decision on application submitted by Department of Posts. In the recent budget speech also the Finance Minister has appreciatingly talked about Post Bank.

(b) & (c )         The Task Force on Leveraging the Post Office Network under the Chairmanship of retired Cabinet Secretary Shri. T.S.R.Subramanian,  has submitted its report during November-2014. The said task force has recommended for setting up Post Bank of India. The details of the recommendations are reproduced in the Annexure- ‘A’ enclosed herewith.




Annexure-A

Recommendations of Task Force on Leveraging Post Office Network with respect to Setting up of Post Bank of India:-

(i)   The proposal is not to convert the PO Network into a Bank, but to set up a fully professional new Bank to further financial inclusion and meet the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, which specifically provides for the extension of credit to all Indians resident in every part of India, particularly in rural areas.

(ii)  This opportunity for achieving universal financial inclusion via technology and the institutional reach of the PO Network must not be lost. There is admittedly a risk involved, as there is in any new venture into uncharted waters. The risk involved can and must be managed in the interests of the overall larger national objectives.

(iii) The PBI must be professionally managed and operated, with credit and other risks being handled by experienced experts hired from the market. In its own interest, its operations must be fully in line and compliant with RBI Guidelines.

(iv)  A new institution, to be called the Post Bank of India or by some other suitable name, should be set up as a commercial bank offering the full spectrum of financial and banking services.

(v)  As the owner of the proposed PBI, the Government of India may take decisions as appropriate on structural and organizational issues and other details, including the funding requirements.

(vi)  The Task Force is of the view that the PBI should be set up under an Act of Parliament and that establishing the PBI as a statutory institution and a Government Bank would enhance its credibility, insulate it from local pulls and greatly facilitate its operations.

(vii) It is essential to structure the proposed PBI in such a manner as to pre-empt the possibility of outside interests influencing its day-to-day operations.

(viii) The Task Force also recommends that the PBI should initially be set up as a Public Sector Bank wholly owned by the Government of India.

(ix) The initial capital requirement, estimated at Rs. 500 crores as per RBI requirements would be fully funded by the Government.

(x) After the Bank establishes itself in 3 to 5 years, the Board of Directors could take a view on floating an IPO to raise fresh capital.

(xi)  The PBI will focus on fulfilling the Government’s mandate of financial inclusion and on bringing the un-banked and under-banked segments of the population, particularly in rural, semi-rural and remote areas within the ambit of the formal monetized economy.

(xii)  A view needs to be taken on how best to seamlessly integrate the earlier banking operations into the proposed new structure, The best and seamless method would be to fully absorb the POSB in the new proposed Bank (PBI).

(xiii) The PBI will offer services including credit, which are beyond the remit of the POSB.

(xiv) The PBI will develop financial products and services which are specially tailored to the needs of the rural and urban unbanked population, if necessary in collaboration with other banks.

(xv)  The PBI will function as a commercially viable and self-sustaining entity without the need for continuing Government subsidies.

(xvi) After the Initial gestation period, it should generate its own resources and sustain itself in the competitive market environment.

(xvii) The PBI should price its services on a cost plus basis and revise these rates from time to time, so that its operations do not become a continuing and increasing burden on the Government exchequer.

(xviii) The PBI will start with a Head Office Main Branch and will thereafter expand its operations by opening Branch offices in the Metro towns and State capitals, to be manned by banking professionals.

(xix) The longer term objectives would be to establish a Branch Office of the PBI in each District Headquarter over a 3 to 5 year period, to be operated mostly by banking professionals.

(xx) The 150,000-plus Departmental and Branch POs will act as Banking Correspondents for the PBI.

(xxi) Careful consideration should be given to the various types, elements and levels of risk involved in the PBI’s operations.

(xxii) Robust System Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures should be put in place to manage these risks effectively.

(xxiii) The PBI should recruit/commission the services of banking experts to manage its credit, portfolio and market risks.

(xxiv) Appropriate management capabilities should be mobilized from the market and robust systems and processes should be put in place to ensure that Non-Performing Assets are kept within acceptable limits.

(xxv) It is neither necessary nor desirable to mandate a waiting period before the PBI enters into credit and lending operations.

(xxvi) The PBI should be constituted and begin working as a credit and lending Bank immediately, without any trial/waiting/learning period.

(xxvii) The PBI should be set up as an independent Statutory and corporate entity offering the full bouquet services, including credit, to its customers.

(xxviii) The PBI will primarily target currently unbanked and under-banked customers in rural, semi-rural and remote areas, with a focus on providing small and affordable loans and simple deposit products.

(xxix) Customers will be provided with full-fledged Savings Accounts, which can be retained even with zero balances, as provided for in the PMJDY.

(xxx) Credit risks will be managed by hiring professionals from the banking sector and by developing and implementing robust protocols for building checks and balances in the system. Market and robust systems and processes should be put in place to ensure that Non-Performing Assets are kept within acceptable limits.   

Asset and Liabilities return under "Lokpal" - date extended again

The last date of filling Asset and Liabilities return has been extended to 15th October 2015 from 30th April 2015. 

CLICK HERE to view the extension order. 

Central Government collecting information about appointments secured on the basis of fake / false caste certificates

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) has informed that information about appointments secured on the basis fake/false caste certificates is not centrally maintained. 

However, the Central Government had undertaken a onetime exercise to collect information about appointments secured on the basis of fake/false caste certificates in the year 2010. As per information received from various Ministries/Departments etc. 1832 appointments were allegedly secured on the basis of fake/false caste certificates. Disciplinary proceedings had been instituted in all the cases. It was reported that out of the above 1832 cases, 276 had resulted in suspension/removal etc., whereas 521 cases were entangled into litigations and in remaining 1035 cases disciplinary proceedings were pending. 

The Government instructions provide that an appointing authority should verify a caste status of SC/ST candidates at the time of initial appointment as well as at the time of promotion. 

Chief Secretaries of States/ Union Territories have been requested to issue instructions to the district magistrates/district collectors/ deputy commissioners of the districts to the effect that when asked to verify the veracity etc. of caste certificates, they should ensure at their own level that veracity of the caste/community certificate referred to the district authorities is verified and reported to the appointing authority within one month of receipt of request from such authority. In order to rule out collusion between candidates holding false/forged certificates and employees at the district level or sub-district level, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against the officers who default in timely verification of caste status in such cases or issue false caste certificates.

Sr. Postmaster CAT case filed by Haryana and Punjab Circle ends

OA No. 1328/HR/2011 filed by Punjab and Haryana Circle was argued in detail on 23/4/2015 and matter ordered to be kept reserved for pronouncement on 28/4/2015. The case was filed for following relief;

1. Quash the letter dated 3.10.2011 by which Limited Departmental Examination for Promotion to the cadre of Sr. Postmaster (Gazetted) has been ordered to be held on 31.12.2011 which is against the Department of Posts, Postal Supdts/Postmaster Group B Recruitment Rules, 1987 as amended from time to time as there is no vacant post in the quota prescribed under the rules as detailed in the preceding paras.
2. Quash the letter dated 29.11.2011 by which the applicants have been informed that ASPs are not eligible for appearing in the examination.

3. Quash the Department of Posts, Senior Postmaster (Group B Gazetted), Postmaster (Grade ‘III and II-Group B non-Gazetted) and Postmaster (Grade I-Group C Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2010, i.e Postmasters Cadre Rules, 2010 run contrary to the Postal Services Postmaster Group B Rules, 1987 as amended from time to time, as the quota of the Inspector Line, has also been reduced from 19% and 75% by carving out the posts.

4. Issue direction to the respondents to consider the case of the members of the applicant No. 1 Union and other applicants for promotion under these rules of 1987 in their quota and promote them from due date with all the consequential benefits and it be declared that the bifurcation of quota now carried out by the respondents is illegal, arbitrary and bereft of any discernible principle.

5. Any other order or direction deemed fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case may also kindly be issued in favour of the applicants.

During the course of argument Department intimated that IP cadre will be given 97% posts in PS Gr. B cadre + 75% posts in Sr. PM cadre. This will not disturb IP Line posts quota in Gr. B cadre as per the previous calculations. General Line will be given 3% posts in PS Gr. B examination + 25% posts in Sr. PM cadre as per seniority. Therefore, IP line share would be 75% by inter-se-seniority and 22% by LDCE for promotion to the PS Gr. B cadre. Revised Recruitment Rules of PS Gr.B cadre is still not cleared by Nodal Ministry.

In view of the arguments made by department, above said OA is dismissed. 

Monday, April 27, 2015

Good News : Cadre restructuring of Inspector Posts cadre

It is learnt that requisite information from all Circles have been received at Directorate and now all the objections/doubts are cleared. 

The proposal submitted by GS and discussed in the meeting held at Directorate on 28/11/2014 is said to be on the away of acceptance with few minor changes. File is under submission to higher authorities. 

Lets hope that queries may not raise by them and get the proposal approved early by the department. 

Upcoming philately events....

Hyderabad Stamp, Coin & Note Fair - 2015 at Hyderabad - 1st - 3rd May 2015.

The Hyderabad Philatelic & Hobbies Society, Secunderabad is organizing ‘Hyderabad Stamps, Coins & Notes Fair – 2015’ from 1st – 3rd May 2015 at Hyderabad.
Google MapVenue: Hira Hall, Sree Sindhi Guru Sangat Sabha Association,
4-1-1236, King Koti Road, Hyderabad – 500001.
(Near Taj Mahal Hotel / Brand Factory Shopping Mall, Abid Road).

For more information contact:
Sri Sunder Bahirwani, (M) +91998537370, Email: sundr.bahirwani@rediffmail.com
Sri Shri Prakash Agarwaal, (M) +919346777206, Email: spagarwaal@yahoo.com

EGNPEX - 2015 Philatelic Exhibition at Kakinada - 15th - 17th May 2015.

Numismatic and Philatelic Society of East Godavari is organizing ‘EGNPEX – 2015’ philatelic exhibition from 15th – 17th May 2015 at Kakinada. 5 Special Covers will be released during the exhibition.

Google MapVenue: Suryakalamandir, Kalpana Centre, Anandha Bharathi Road, Surya Rao Peta, (Cinema Hall Road), Kakinada – 533 001.


Special Cover on AL Jerry Braganza, father of Konkani Cinema

Anthonio Lawrence Jerry Braganza, the father of Konkani Cinema was born in Mapusa, Goa, who later on changed his name Antonio Lawrence… to AL Jerry Braganza. He migrated to Bombay around 1940s where he joined college. He was the first to produce Konkani Film in 1950. At the age of around 72, AL Jerry died in Bombay on 8th January 1990. The first Konkani film ‘Mogacho Aunddo’, produced and directed by late AL Jerry Braganza was screened at Dasharata Cinema Hall, Mapusa, Goa on 24th April 1950.

24th April is commemorated as Konkani Cinema Day in Goa. On this occasion a special cover was released in honour of the father of Konkani Cinema Shri AL Jerry Braganza at a function organized by the Dalgado Konkani Akademi (DKA), held at Hanuman Theatre, Mapusa, Goa on 24th April 2015. Special cover was released jointly by Dy. Chief Minister of Goa Shri Fr/ancis D'Souza and Postmaster General, Goa Region, Shri Charles Lobo. The special cover is sponsored by Dalgado Konkani Akademi to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the first Konkani film.

Special Cover on AL Jerry Braganza, father of Konkani Cinema
Special Cover on AL Jerry Braganza, father of Konkani Cinema

Courtesy: Kaushik Dessai, Goa | Prasad Barde, Goa

Circle Working Committee Meeting : Kerala Circle.

Kerala Circle Branch is holding their Circle Working Committee Meeting at Hotel K.K. International, Ernakulam on 8/5/2015 (Friday). 

Hon'ble Prime Minister donates one month salary to PMNRF

The Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has donated one month's salary to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, for the assistance to those affected by the recent earthquake. 

Inspector Posts Examination 2014 result likely to be declared in this week

Due to some technical and administrative reasons declaration of result of LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts Examination for the year 2014 held on 22 and 23/11/2014 is delayed. Now, it is expected in this week. 

Pune Municipal Corporation gets together with postal dept for address verification

PUNE: Citizens who have not received property tax bills through post have been asked to contact the property tax department, the local ward office or post office for address verification.

"The civic administration has been receiving complaints about people not getting their property tax bills. This year, we handed over the billing system to the postal department, which has brought down the number of complaints. However, around 15,000 bills were still not delivered," Suhas Mapari, head of the PMC's property tax department, told TOI.

To verify such addresses, the property tax department has joined hands with the postal service, which will correct the postal addresses in the civic body's system and reduce bill delivery problems.

Mapari said that wrong addresses in the PMC's records was one of the reasons for the poor delivery and hence, the problem can be sorted out if the information are corrected. "Those who wish to make any corrections to their addresses can approach the nearby post office, ward office or the property tax department. They will have to fill a form with accurate details and these changes will be updated in the PMC's system," he said.

According to department officials, taxpayers will have to fill details such as name, flat or house number, landmark, pin code and area in the form.

Property tax is one of the main sources of revenue for the PMC. Income from this department has gathered significance with the state's plan to abolish local body tax, another important income source.

The city has 7.8 lakh properties on which the levy is charged. These include residential houses (self-occupied or rented out), office buildings, factory buildings, open plots, flats and shops.

As per PMC officials, the civic administration has been taking various initiatives to generate more income from property tax, with special emphasis on recovery of dues and reaching out to the maximum number of property holders. The department has also started sending bills to property owners via email and a special website has been developed to resolve property tax issues.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

CHQ requirements.......


Despite repeated requests, information on following issues are still awaited from many Circle Secretaries. 

1. Name/s of the officers who declined PS Gr. B promotion.

2. Present status of documentation for holding of DPC for PS Gr. B cadre for 2015-16.

3. Vacancy position of Direct Recruit Inspector Posts (year wise). 

4. Inter-Circle Rule 38 transfer cases in Inspector Pots cadre pending.

CHQ Quota......

CHQ has received a sum of Rs. 15000/- from Maharashtra Circle as CHQ quota for the year 2013-14. As on date only five Circles viz. Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, MP and Maharashtra Circles have remitted their CHQ quota for the year 2013-14. 

Karnataka Circle is exempted from paying CHQ quota for the year 2013-14, as their representatives attended meeting for preparation of memorandum for submission to 7CPC and their CS attended oral evidence before 7CPC on 7/11/2014 at Mumbai by incurring expenditure from their circle fund. 

Remaining circles are once again requested to remit their CHQ quota immediately. Every CS and CHQ Office bearers are very well aware that the financial position of CHQ is not so sound. Those who have not paid their quota, may remit the same to CHQ Treasurer by eMO only. 

Central Working Committee Meeting (CWC) at Trivandrum on 25th and 26th July 2015

Padmanabhaswamy Temple
As intimated earlier, Central Working Committee Meeting will be held on 25/7/2015 and 26/7/2015 at Trivandrum City (Kerala) . Trivandrum city is capital of Kerala state and is known as the gateway of one of the most beautiful state in India.

The actual details about venue and accommodation etc. will be intimated on due course. Mean while all eligible members (i.e. CHQ officer bearers and Circle Secretaries) are requested to book their to and fro tickets immediately and intimate details to Sri S. Nandakumar, Inspector Posts, Kollam RMS, Kollam (Mobile No. 09447557016). Accommodation is available from morning of 25th July 2015 to 26th July 2015. Therefore all eligible delegates are requested to reserve their tickets accordingly. No extra persons are allowed with delegates. 

Delegates may also contact to Sri Ajith Kurian, Ex-Circle Secretary Kerala Circle Branch and Manager, NSH Trivandrum on his mobile No. 09447271165 for .

Check your new I-T assessment range before filing returns

With income tax returns filing season commencing soon, taxpayers have been advised to re-check their new assessment ranges as the I-T department has carried out a large-scale restructuring and jurisdictional change of its offices country-wide.

"Taxpayers are advised to check their new tax assessment ranges from the facility hosted on the official website of the department-- www.incometaxindia.gov.in. The new changes would be uploaded on the website by the first week of May," a 
senior I-T officer said.

The jurisdiction of a number of I-T assessment ranges have changed as the department has recently effected largescale cadre-restructuring and hence the existing assessees of a particular range may have shifted to a new one. For some assessees, the range may not have changed.

The Central Board of 
Direct Taxes (CBDT), the apex policy making body of the tax department, has asked its officers to ensure that an online facility for taxpayers to check their new assessment ranges is uploaded in the given time frame.

"The new measure entails migration of the existing Permanent Account Numbers (PAN) from one range to the other. The department is confident of completing the exercise before taxpayers begin filing their returns," the officer said.

The officer said instructions have been issued in this regard by CBDT 
Chairperson Anita Kapur so that taxpayers are not put to any "inconvenience" and that there are no grievances or complaints made by them in this regard.

The officer said the official website of the department will host an exclusive link called "Jurisdiction" to help the taxpayers in this regard. An individual will just have to punch his or her PAN card number to find a possible change in his or her assessment range.

The cadre-restructuring in the I-T department, with the creation of over 20,700 posts recently, has brought about a number of changes in the existing jurisdictions of assessing officers (AOs) of the department across the country.

"In case of online filing of I-T returns, the system will automatically find the AO of the filer," the officer added.

The aim of the I-T department restructuring, according to a blueprint prepared in this regard, is "to check the skewed distribution of posts in the department and to ensure identical hierarichal structure so that the department can effectively 
tackle taxpayers grievances and issues and ensure better tax collection."

The board has called for according "top priority" to addressing taxpayers' grievances by the Income Tax department after 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressed his disappointment about delays in corrective action and harassment of the assesses by tax officials.


Source:-The Economic Times

Soon, use any bank’s card at postal ATM

CHENNAI, April 24, 2015 :  Soon, Chennai residents can use postal ATMs to withdraw money not only from their postal savings account, but from any bank account.
 
This will be possible once the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accepts the proposal to have postal Automated Teller Machines (ATM) interoperable where postal customers could use debit cards of other banks. Earlier this week, the Department of Posts opened two more ATMs at St. Thomas Mount and Mylapore post offices. The first postal ATM was opened in T. Nagar post office last year.
 
Anna Road head post office and Tambaram post office will also have ATM facilities . In three months, the department plans to expand its ATM services to over 17 post offices, including those in Park Town, Avadi and Ambattur.
 
Officials of the Postal Department said once the ATMs are operational for a few months, RBI is expected to approve the proposal to allow postal account holders to use debit cards of other banks as well and vice versa.
 
As of now, only 50 postal account holders have debit cards. “With more ATMs being added, we are speeding up the process to issue personalised debit cards. At present, customers can get insta cards that will allow them to use ATMs till they get their debit cards,” said Mervin Alexander, Postmaster General (Chennai city region).
 
It takes about 3-4 weeks to get a postal debit card. The department plans to distribute about 2,500 cards soon, particularly to pensioners. While applications are being accepted for obtaining debit cards, customers can immediately get insta cards to carry out transactions.
 
Nearly 31.22 lakh postal saving account holders of Chennai city region would be able to use postal debit cards in any of the post offices networked with core banking solutions. Customers could soon avoid visits to post offices to carry out savings account transactions as e-post office and mobile banking facility are on the anvil.