National Postal Policy

New Delhi, Nov. 13:

The Government has started the exercise to formulate the new National Postal Policy 2012, to rejuvenate and bring the postal sector to the centre-stage of economic development.

The Department of Posts (DoP) will organise a roundtable conference next month to discuss various dimensions of the policy with key stakeholders.

“DoP may complete this (discussion) exercise by April, 2012,” the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr Kapil Sibal, said, adding that the agenda of the same should be submitted by November 20.

The Government said the National Postal Policy (NPP) would have clear goals, a defined role for various operators in the sector and a regulatory mechanism.

“The postal sector is a key information medium that contributes to both economic and social development. In recent years, the postal marketplace has grown increasingly competitive, complex and essential,” Mr Sibal added.

In line with market dynamics

The Minister, in his communication to the DoP, has indicated that the new policy should be in line with market dynamics and postal sector should contribute to social and economic development of the country.

The DoP had earlier come up with a National Postal Policy, which is viewed as ‘prototype' of the policy, a senior ministry official said.

The policy was written by couple of postal department officers without consultation with the industry, the official added. The new 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.

Clear goals

“NPP'12 will have clear goals in terms of job creation, potential investment, guidelines for postal services and strategic focus area for the sector,” the official said.

With over 1.5 lakh post offices India's Department of Posts has the one of the largest postal network in the world.

To match the rapid growth of the country, the DoP is undergoing various radical changes, which include a proposal to convert over 1.5 lakh post-offices across the nation into full-fledged banks.

Supplied by: Shri Prasant K Patra