Guwahati: As India Post is celebrating National Postal Week from 7th October to 11th October , 2024, Assam Postal Circle highlights its extensive range of services and initiatives aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and community engagement.
Abhishek Jain, Director of Postal Services (Mails & BD), Guwahati for the Assam Postal Circle in an interview with Pankhi Sarma of Business North East, share insights into the ongoing initiatives during National Postal Week, the expansion of financial services, logistics, and the significant role the postal department plays in fostering economic development in Assam.
"We have revamped our logistics services to deliver via trucks to remote areas such as Garo Hills and the terrains of Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring faster, safer deliveries across Assam”, as Jain speaks, a high-level monitoring committee has been set-up to streamline logistics delivery to remote areas of the Northeast.
Excerpts are below:
BNE: As the National Post Week begins, what initiatives have you planned?
Abhishek Jain: First and foremost, I’d like to share that the Department of Post was established on October 1st, 1854, during the British era. We’ve recently completed 170 years of service and 150 years of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Before UPU, international postal services faced numerous challenges, but this global agency streamlined the process. This year, on October 9th, we celebrate World Post Day, and during that week, we also organize National Postal Week. The focus this year is on raising awareness about our products and services, especially among those who still hold outdated perceptions of the post office. Many people believe we only deliver letters or know about our savings bank services, but there’s so much more we offer. Our aim is to educate the public about the wide range of services we provide.
BNE: How is the Assam Postal Circle expanding its footprint in financial services? What new services or products can we expect in Assam to promote financial inclusion?
Abhishek Jain: In the financial sector, we're not launching any new products at this time because our savings bank products are regulated by the Ministry of Finance. Last year, the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate was introduced by our Finance Minister, and we promoted it extensively. In addition, we continue to promote our Sukanya Samriddhi Account, which has benefited over seven lakh girls in Assam, helping with future education and marriage expenses. For boys, we encourage investment in the Public Provident Fund (PPF), which also serves as a long-term financial solution, particularly for individuals without pension benefits. We’re also spreading awareness about the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, which offers high returns with government backing. Additionally, we're expanding into the insurance sector, focusing on Postal Life Insurance (PLI), which is available to graduates, young professionals, and businesses.
BNE: During National Postal Week, over 5,000 Dak Chaupals and various Jan Bhagidaari initiatives are planned. How does the Assam Postal Circle plan to engage?
Abhishek Jain: Assam has a vast postal network, with over 4,000 post offices, 3,400 of which are in rural areas. The Government of India ensures that every residential area within a 5 km radius has access to postal services, bringing world-class banking facilities to people's doorsteps. In Guwahati alone, we have 80 departmental post offices and 200 branch post offices.
BNE: The government has been pushing for digitalization. How has the Assam Postal Circle transitioned its services to digital platforms?
Abhishek Jain: Digitalization has revolutionized postal banking, especially with the introduction of paperless banking. In 2018, we launched the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), which allows users to open a digital account using just their Aadhaar card, phone number, and thumbprint. Additionally, we offer internet and mobile banking services, making banking more accessible. We’ve also emphasized the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. By registering your phone number with us, our agent can visit your home and help you complete the process, providing banking services right at your fingertips.
BNE: How does Assam Postal Circle plan to engage citizens, and what outcomes do you expect in terms of public participation and service awareness?
Abhishek Jain: Many citizens are unaware of the full range of services we provide, especially related to Aadhaar and insurance. We deliver these services directly to their doorsteps and encourage individuals to not only avail themselves of these services but also become agents of the postal system. This creates a "earn and avail benefits" opportunity for common people. We’re also seeking franchise partners, offering commission-based opportunities for those with available space to open postal outlets.
BNE: How has the department progressed in the logistics sector in Assam?
Abhishek Jain: We’ve established a high-level monitoring committee in Assam to oversee logistics operations. While we used to rely on trains and air transport for deliveries, we now utilize trucks to reach remote areas such as Garo Hills and the terrains of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. This shift has enabled us to ensure faster and safer deliveries, with items reaching destinations in one to three days.
BNE: How has the financial year been for the Assam Postal Circle, and how do you project growth for this year compared to the previous year?
Abhishek Jain: We've seen significant growth, especially after onboarding partners like Amazon this year. Our banking and insurance services have also witnessed growth, though the uptake of Aadhaar services has been slower than expected. However, revenue remains a concern, particularly in traditional mail and other services, where we still face some constraints. Overall, we are projecting a 10-15% growth this year compared to last year, although our initial target was 25-30%.
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