ePost facility launched

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 9. As part of its efforts to provide a hi-tech orientation to postal operations, the Department of Posts is introducing a new service called ePost, which gives the facility of e-mail to those who do not have access to a computer or Internet.

Addressing a press conference here in connection with World Post Day today, the Chief Postmaster General (Kerala circle), Ms. Vimala Kumar, said ePost messages sent from anywhere in the world could be downloaded at the ePost centre, printed and delivered through postmen.

The service, described as the "Next generation post", combines email and the traditional post and was especially beneficial to people living in the countryside, she said. ePost could be sent from individual PCs using an ePost card, similar to the Telecom Card and available at all head post offices, or a credit card. The service would be available at all the 51 head post offices in the State.

An Internet-based track-and-trace system for Speed Post articles was now under testing at all the eight National Speed Post Centres in the State. The system aimed at improving customer service through online tracking of the movement and delivery of Speed Post articles within the country.

Regarding the existing services, it was pointed out that a new service called International Money Transfer, was being offered in 55 post offices spread all over the State. Through this system, money could be transferred electronically in seconds from locations in 178 countries to select post offices in India. On getting information from the remitter, customers could approach the Post Master and receive payment by cash or cheque after proving their identity.

In partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, the department had launched the Speed Post Passport Service in all eight National Speed Post Centres in the State in March last. The service included the sale of passport application forms with covers, acceptance of completed forms, checking of forms with reference to the checklist supplied by the Union Ministry and despatch of forms to the Passport Office by Speed Post for further processing.

Another scheme for the distribution of IDBI Mutual Funds through select post offices was launched in June in collaboration with the IDBI-Principal, it was pointed out. In Kerala, this service was available at the Peroorkada Post Office, the Thiruvananthapuram GPO, the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Post Office and the Chalai Post Office. Under the scheme, applications for the purchase of bonds would be accepted along with cheque/draft/DD and forwarded to the designated Mutual Fund office by Speed Post.

Of the 120 National Speed Post Centres in the country at present, eight were in Kerala, it was pointed out. In addition to this, there were 32 State Speed Post Centres and 112 counters. Palakkad was expected to be upgraded as the ninth national centre this year.

Express Parcel Post, which offers free pickup and door delivery irrespective of the weight of the parcel, was available in all the eight National Speed Post Centres. Parcels weighing up to 35 kg could be sent through surface transport and insurance facility was also available.

Business Post Offices had been set up at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Palakkad, Kochi, Aluva, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Irinjalakuda to undertake all mailing operations of bulk mailers. The services included collection, enveloping, addressing, franking and despatch.

All counter operations except savings bank had been computerised in 132 post offices in the State. The entire functions of a head post office had been computerised in the Thiruvananthapuram GPO and the HOs at Kollam, Adoor, Attingal, Ernakulam, Changanassery, Aluva, Kannur and Kozhikode.

It was pointed out that the head post offices at Neyyattinkara, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Thalassery had been selected for computerisation in the current year. The registration work in the RMS offices at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode had also been computerised

The department proposed to issue commemorative stamps on Thangal Kunju Musaliar at Kollam on October 26 and on G. Sankara Kurup, for which the date was yet to be fixed. Mr. P.C. Baburaj, PMG, also attended the press conference.

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