BENGALURU: The Department of Posts (DOP) Friday informed the Parliament that it has seen a growth in earnings by over 11 per cent. The total revenue earned has been Rs 12,940 crore in 2015-16.
The DOP has seen its revenue grow in the last three years in a gradual manner. In 2013-14 it was Rs 10,730.42 crore which grew to Rs 11,635.98 crore in 2014-15 and then to Rs 12,939.79 crore in 2015-16.
“There is an increasing trend in revenue in three major heads — postage realised in cash from speed post, registry, business post etc; commission from Savings Bank; and other major receipts,” said Communications Minister Manoj Sinha.
The DoP has 34,452 male postmen and 2,708 female postwomen as permanent employees with 1,332 male postmen and 287 female postwomen as temporary employees.
However, stamp sale and commission on money order and Indian postal orders have been on the decline. Revenue from sale of stamps declined from Rs 670.67 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 576.18 crore in 2014-15 and further fell to Rs 441.75 crore in 2015-16. Commission from money orders and Indian postal orders reduced to Rs 464.84 crore in 2015-16 from Rs 641.98 crore in 2014-15.
The government has planned to set up 650 Indian post payment banks by September. 1,000 ATMs have also been proposed to be established to help customers having accounts in a post office savings bank.
Post offices also serve as saving banks, pay pensions, sell Cash Certificates on behalf of other ministries besides providing purely postal services.