Postal franchisee scheme expanded

The franchised postal outlets scheme, which was launched in February 2007 in select urban areas for providing increased access to postal counter services is now being extended to cover upcoming urban townships, special economic zones, major highway projects, upcoming industrial centers and colleges. 

Dr Shakeel Ahmad, minister of state for communications and information technology informed the Lok Sabha today that the opening of franchised outlets was in addition to opening of post offices wherever justified.

Only counter services have been franchised, while delivery and transmission will be continued through the department. Linking arrangements for the franchised outlets will be provided by the franchisee.

Dr Ahmad said unemployed youth were not debarred from working as franchisees of the department so long as they met the selection criteria of minimum age, educational qualification, in order to be able to manage and market a range of products.

He also said that they were required to have an understanding of community needs and willingness to accept technological options. Preference would be given to postal pensioners and those able to provide computers, he added.

Dr Ahmad informed the members of the details of the scheme, saying it entails setting up of franchisee outlets instead of post offices in such areas where a Post Office cannot be opened as per prescribed norms. 

(See: Details of the franchisee postal outlet scheme)