Agartala: July 12, 2015:
Union Minister of Communication and IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad today dedicated Core Banking Services (CBS) of Agartala Head Post Office (HPO) at Agartala in presence of State IT Minister Shri Tapan Chakraborty, Chief Post Master General of NE Circle Smt Smita Kumar, and other dignitaries.
In the function, Shri Prasad also unveiled foundation stone for Dimapur Mukhya Dak Ghar building. Apart from these, the Union Minister has also launched ‘Postal Shoppe’ at Agartala HPO. In the programme, several awards were given to concerned Post Offices of NE Circle for distinguished contribution in implementing ‘Swacch Bharat’, IT, Rural Postal Life Insurance and Postal Life Insurance schemes. For Agartala Division, Radhakishorepur Head Post Office of Udaipur has been selected as the cleanest Post Office. To commemorate the occasion, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad released a special cover on Ujjayanta Palace, heritage spot of Tripura.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Prasad said more than 1.5 lakhs post offices exist in India and more than 1.2 lakhs are located in rural areas. These post offices play could a key role in empowering rural communities digitally. Core Banking facilities is a step forward in this direction, he observed. Further he informed, only 235 post offices were brought under Core Banking service before 2014. Since then during last one year, 2590 postal offices brought under the National Core Banking Network.
Referring to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream project – Beti Bacaho, Beti Padao, he said, the Government has introduced Sukannya Samridhhi yojana which is available in post offices allowing parents living in remote areas a chance to protect future of their girl child. Emphasizing making postal services more efficient, he said, this is planned to launch e-commerce in post offices to ensure speedy delivery of goods. His Ministry is also contemplating to introduce solar power packed hand-device for rural post offices to ensure that Postal services reach at the doorstep of rural communities.
Giving lights on Core Banking facilities in post offices, Chief Post Master General of the north east region Smt Smita Kumar said, Core Banking services were introduced in April 27, 2015 and Agartala HPO migrated to National Core Banking Network successfully with 1,17,605 accounts amounting to Rs 448 cores. She also informed that 280 Sukanya Samriddhi account has been opened in Agartala head post office. Elaborating future plan, Smt Kumar informed 24 ATMs will be set up by the postal department out of which eight centres will be set up in the State.
Amongst others, State IT Minister Shri Tapan Chakraborti and other distinguished guests and senior officials were also present in the function.