Postal Dept should target 20 pc growth rate: Sibal

Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal today said the Department of Posts (DoP) should target a growth rate of 20 per cent. “I think this is an area where the growth can be 20 per cent,” Sibal said during the inauguration of a two-day postal conference here.
The DoP has a growth rate of 12 per cent at present, he added. The government is working on a National Postal Policy (NPP) would have clear goals, defined role of various operators in the sector and regulatory mechanism in place.
The policy will be framed in consultation with various stakeholders of the Indian postal sector which will include various players in logistics, courier and e-commerce business. “I do have a vision for the postal department in India… I am deeply committed to the progress of this department,” Sibal said, adding, this is an area which can truly transform the rural economy. The DoP also plans to set up 1,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) across the country under its modernisation plan. DoP has got approval of Rs 1,877.20 crore to be spent across these projects over a period of two years and will seek additional funds when the need arises. The DoP also plans to computerise all its 1.55 lakh post offices across the country by 2013.