New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) : The expansion of India Post Payments Bank and doorstep banking has enabled the postal network to take financial services to villages and households, allowing citizens to access banking facilities closer to their homes, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh said on Monday.
A delegation of representatives of All India employee organisations of the Department of Posts called on Dr Singh, and discussed the transformation of postal services as well as various matters concerning employees, employee organisations and pensioners.
During the interaction, the representatives spoke about the expansion of India Post’s service portfolio over the past decade, including delivery within 24 hours in applicable services, Aadhaar-related services and the availability of PAN and Passport Seva facilities through the postal network.
They also spoke about the growing role of India Post in providing banking and financial services at the doorstep, particularly in rural areas.
Dr Singh said that the transformation of India Post is reflected in the changing role of the postman, who today is increasingly taking banking and other essential services directly to citizens.
From traditional letter delivery, the postal network has expanded into a wider platform for delivering financial and citizen services, with its extensive reach providing an important last-mile connection between government services and people, the minister mentioned.
The postal network has also expanded services such as Digital Life Certificates for pensioners, making essential pension-related services more accessible and convenient.
Dr Singh also recalled the important role played by postal employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the postal network continued to provide essential services despite the nationwide lockdown.
Postal personnel helped take banking services and cash to citizens at their homes, while postal vehicles and infrastructure were also utilised for the delivery and movement of essential medical and protective supplies.
The representatives hailed the government for ‘reinventing’ India Post and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for turning it into a modern, citizen-centric service network, saying that the changes have significantly expanded the role of India Post and brought a wide range of citizen-centric services closer to people across the country.
They said that India Post today goes far beyond traditional mail delivery, with faster delivery services, Aadhaar-related facilities, PAN and Passport Seva services, doorstep banking and digital pension services strengthening its public-service role.
