JAGATSINGHPUR: Post offices are failing to deliver proper services due to staff crunch. Depositors are made to wait for 10 to 15 days to withdraw money from their savings account. Besides, it takes around three days to dispatch letters and parcels from the branch office.
Even though the demand of postal services has declined in the last 15 years after the advent of e-mails and SMSes, people in rural areas are still dependent on postal services.
The depositors of 92 branch post offices and 15 sub-post offices under Jagatsinghpur sub-division have been affected by lack of proper postal services. Despite their repeated pleas to the higher authorities, no action has been taken to improve the services.
Most of the depositors having accounts at Mohiuddinpur branch post office face difficulties in the transaction process as they don’t get their passbooks for at least six months after opening their accounts.
Similarly, depositors of Chatra sub-post office have to wait for at least 15 days for cash withdrawal. Madhusmita Senapati, a depositor of Mohiuddinpur branch post office, said, “I have been waiting for 10 days to withdraw cash of `20,000 because the withdrawal form of my saving account is under Chatra post office.” Superintendent of Postal Department, South division, Bijya Kumar Patra said, “The department has received allegations regarding irregularities and action will be taken. Staff crunch is the main reason behind delayed delivery of letters and parcels.”