Gramin Dak Sevaks are not Central Government employees-Latest reply by Govt in Rajya Sabha

Gramin Dak Sevaks ( GDS ) are not Central Government employees and this issue is within the domain of DoPT and Ministry of Finance- Govt

Gramin Dak Sevaks are not Central Government employees and this issue is within the domain of DoPT and Ministry of Finance: Latest reply by Govt in Rajya Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1784

ANSWERED ON-07.02.2014

Grameen    Dak   Sevaks

1784 . SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH MAHRA

(a)  the State-wise number of Grameen Dak Sevaks working throughout the country at present;

(b)  whether the Ministry proposes to appoint these Grameen Dak Sevaks to the posts of postman and MTS on the basis of their seniority;

(c) if not, by when these Grameen Dak Sevaks are likely to be appointed to the posts of postman and MTS;

(d) whether the Ministry has received a demand letter from them demanding better facilities; and

(e) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. (SMT.) KILLI KRUPARANI)

(a) As on 01.01.2013, the total working strength of various categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks is 263326. State-wise and UT wise details is at Annexure-I.

(b) Statutory recruitment rules of MTS already provide for their absorption to the posts of MTS on the basis of seniority. However, there is no proposal for their absorption to the posts of Postman on the basis of seniority.

(c) Absorption of Gramin Dak Sevaks to the posts of postman and MTS can only be made as per the provisions of statutory recruitment rules of postman and MTS.

(d) It is not clear from the question, which specific letter is being mention. However, some letters regarding inclusion of the category of Gramin Dak Sevaks within the purview of 7th Central pay Commission have been received.

(e) Gramin Dak Sevaks are not Central Government employees and this issue is within the domain of DoPT and Ministry of Finance.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1402

ANSWERED ON 06.03.2013

GRAMEEN DAK SEVAKS

1402 . Shri DILIP SINGH JU DEV
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of Grameen Dak Sewaks working in post offices in various States including Chhattisgarh tribal region, State-wise;

(b) the monthly stipend being paid to these Sewaks;

(c) whether the Government proposes to increase their stipend in view of steep rise in inflation and also introduce welfare measures for them; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (Dr. (Smt.) KILLI KRUPA RANI) 

(a) As on 01.01.2013, the total working strength of various categories of Grameen Dak Sewaks is 263326 including 2458 Grameen Dak Sewaks working in Chhattisgarh Tribal Region. State-wise and UT wise details is at Annexure I.

(b) Grameen Dak Sewaks are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) & other admissible allowances as approved by Cabinet and not stipend, the details of which are at Annexure II.

(c) Grameen Dak Sewaks are in receipt of Dearness Allowance which is linked to price rise/ inflation on the admissible TRCA at the same rate as allowed to regular Central Government employees and which is revised twice in a year based on price index. The Government has also introduced various welfare measures for these Grameen Dak Sewaks.

(d) The details of welfare measures introduced for the Grameen Dak Sewaks are at Annexure III.

LOK SABHA ANNEXURE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1402 DATED 6.03.2013

ANNEXURE I

S. No.	Name of Circle/State/UTs	Working Strength of Gramin Dak Sevaks as on 01.01.2013
		GDS SPM	GDS BPM	GDS MD	GDS MC	GDS MP	GDS SV	Others	Total
1	Andhra Pradesh	0	13139	4694	4242	1941	175	2646	26837
2	Assam	0	3216	2906	1639	283	39	371	8454
3	Bihar	0	6307	5165	2598	360	86	553	15069
4	Chhattisgarh	0	2423	855	1545	147	13	26	5009
5	Delhi	0	77	26	14	24	30	6	177
6	Gujarat	0	6768	4619	1396	702	63	296	13844
6a	Dadar & Nagar Haveli (UT)	0	5	45	0	0	0	0	50
6b	Daman & Diu (UT)	0	7	17	0	0	0	2	26
7	Haryana	0	1972	1050	708	233	18	4	3985
8	Himachal Pradesh	0	2247	2614	1068	312	13	61	6315
9	Jammu & Kashmir	0	1368	506	754	95	8	0	2731
10	Jharkhand	0	2461	1539	1286	154	35	407	5882
11	Karnataka	0	7777	4681	1235	1789	66	249	15797
12	Kerala	0	3443	5765	852	1259	138	165	11622
12a	Lakshadweep (UT)	2	1	1	0	5	0	0	9
12b	Puducherry (UT)	0	3	5	1	1	0	0	10
13	Madhya Pradesh	0	5632	2498	4056	290	22	229	12727
14	Maharashtra	0	10122	6939	1644	1115	46	27	19893
14a	Goa (State)	0	147	128	21	54	1	2	353
	North East	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	Arunachal Pradesh (State)	0	198	166	27	30	2	11	434
16	Manipur (State)	0	591	495	627	40	1	1	1755
17	Meghalaya (State)	0	332	389	262	41	0	0	1024
18	Mizoram (State)	0	285	234	281	12	0	98	910
19	Nagaland (State)	0	279	254	237	35	3	0	808
20	Tripura (State)	0	514	416	290	53	1	65	1339
21	Orissa	1	5798	4863	3209	929	41	110	14951
22	Punjab	0	2831	1642	960	227	15	0	5675
22a	Chandigarh (UT)	0	8	13	0	16	2	0	39
23	Rajasthan	0	7460	2371	3014	439	37	49	13370
24	Tamil Nadu	0	8656	8475	1325	2168	269	682	21575
24a	Puducherry (UT)	0	41	49	0	15	4	0	109
25	Uttar Pradesh	0	12659	10991	4127	1311	315	1262	30665
26	Uttarakhand	0	2122	2218	1322	236	9	217	6124
27	West Bengal	0	5370	4985	3337	777	315	339	15123
28	Sikkim (State)	0	53	74	19	5	0	0	151
28a	Andaman & Nicobar (UT)	0	171	203	102	0	8	0	484
	Total	3	114483	81891	42198	15098	1775	7878	263326
	Chhattisgarh Tribal Region	0	1068	422	911	48	2	7	2458

Annexure II

Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) of Gramin Dak Sevaks

[Implemented w.e.f. 01.01.2006]

S. No.	Category of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS)	TRCA effective from 01.01.2006	For Work  load ( in hours )
1	GDS Branch Postmaster	Rs 2745-50-4245	Up to 3 hours
		Rs 3200-60-5000	More than 3 hours and up to 3 hours 30 min
		Rs 3660-70-5760	More than 3 hours 30 min and up to 4 hours
		Rs 4115-75-6365	More than 4 hours and up to 4 hours 30 min
		Rs. 4575-85-7125	More than 4 hours 30 min and up to 5 hours
2	GDS Mail deliverer/ Stamp vendor	Rs 2665-50-4165 [for new entrants]	Up to 3 hours
		Rs 3330-60-5130	More than 3 hours and up to 3 hours 45 min
		Rs 4220-75-6470	More than 3 hours 45 min and up to 5 hours
3	GDS Mail Carrier/ Packer/ Mailman	Rs 2295-45-3695 [for new entrants]	Up to 3 hours
		Rs2870-50-4370	More than 3 hours and up to 3 hours 45 min
		Rs 3635-65-5585	More than 3 hours 45 min and up to 5 hours

Note:

Besides the TRCA, the GDSs also get Dearness Allowance at the same rate as admissible to Central Government employees. Gramin Dak Sevak Branch Postmasters get Office Maintenance Allowance @Rs.100/- per month & Fixed Stationery Charges @Rs.25/- per month.  Other categories like Gramin Dak Sevak Mail Deliverers and Mail Carriers get Cycle Maintenance Allowance @ Rs.60/- per month.

Annexure III

EXISTING WELFARE SCHEMES INTRODUCED FOR GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

1	Maternity Grant	Women GDS are provided Maternity Grant for each child up to the birth of maximum of two children limited to maximum of two confinements resulting into birth of first two children only during the entire engagement period of a Woman GDS equivalent to three months TRCA with DA.  Women GDS’s like Mail Deliverer and Mail Carrier have also been prescribed to be considered for lighter duties wherever possible during the pre and post confinement period.
2	Maternity Leave	Women GDS have also been provided to be granted maternity leave not exceeding six months covering the pre and post confinement period.
3	Extra Departmental Group Insurance Scheme	Gramin Dak Sevaks are provided with insurance coverage of Rs. 50000/- under the Group Insurance Scheme available to them on death.
4	Service Discharge Benefit Scheme	A Service Discharge Benefit Scheme has been introduced by the Government for the benefit of Gramin Dak Sevaks working in the Department of Posts on monthly contribution basis (from Department’s side only @ Rs. 200/-pm) devised on the basis of New Pension Scheme (NPS)-Lite scheme launched by the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA). This Scheme has been offered in lieu of the existing Severance Amount Scheme on an optional basis for the existing Gramin Dak Sevaks while it is mandatory for the new Gramin Dak Sevaks entering into service with effect from 01.01.2011.  The Scheme provides a certain percentage as lump sum at the time of discharge plus mandatory investment of certain percentage in annuity that would provide them monthly benefits in the shape of pension.
5	Leave	Gramin Dak Sevaks are allowed to be granted 20 days paid leave in a year without accumulation.
6	Limited Transfer Facility	Gramin Dak Sevaks are provided with the facility of limited transfer in cases of posting at a distant place on redeployment in the event of abolition of the post, on being appointed on compassionate grounds and posted at distant place, on marriage/remarriage of woman GDS, on suffering extreme hardship due to a disease and for medical attention/treatment of self on production of valid medical certificate from the medical officer of a Government Hospital and on requirement of looking after the welfare of a physically handicapped/mentally handicapped person/dependant requiring to move to different places to give support to such dependant. Such facility is provided for only one transfer during the entire career and on rendering a minimum service of 3 years subject to fulfillment of other conditions. Based on recommendation made by one man Committee, an exception has been made for women Gramin Dak Sevaks, who availed the transfer facility on the ground of extreme hardship due to a disease and for medical attention/treatment before their marriage and now they can avail the facility for a second time in the event of their marriage/re-marriage.
7	Assistance from Welfare Fund	Following assistance from welfare fund are allowed to the Gramin Dak Sevaks:- S. No. Name of Welfare Scheme Admissible amount of Financial Assistance 1 Financial Assistance in case of death Rs. 7000/- 2 Death occurring due to enemy action in war or border skirmishes or action against militants, terrorists, extremists, etc. Rs. 1,50,000/- 3 Funeral Expenses* Rs.500/- 4 Nutritional diet to the GDS suffering from Tuberculosis : (a)     Indoor treatment. (b)   Outdoor treatment. Rs.400/- p.m. Rs.200/- p.m. 5 Financial Assistance in case of prolonged and serious illness / major surgeries Rs. 5000/- 6 Scholarship and book award scheme To ensure better coverage for GDSs, their wards be granted relaxation by 10% marks as in case of SCs/STs and OBCs, in so far as grant of book award is concerned. *Payable from the Circle Welfare Fund, only in cases in which last rites of deceased Postal Employee are performed by brothers or sisters or near relatives in the absence of any other next of kin.
8	Compassionate Engagement	A new transparent Scheme for engagement of dependents GDS on compassionate grounds with merit points and procedure for selection has been introduced allocating points for each attribute of indigence on a 100 Point Scale. Spouse [widows] has been allowed 15 grace points over and over. Hard and deserving cases have been prescribed as cases over and above 50 Points.
9	Medical Facilities	GDS being a separate and distinct category, they are not covered by CS (MA) Rules and they are also not extended the CGHS facility. Under the existing provisions, they are allowed financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 5000/-from Circle Welfare Fund provided such GDS must have put in at least six years of service in the Department, treatment should have been taken from Government hospital and produced medical certificates and the illness is at least 2 months old. Regional/Circle Heads have been conferred discretionary powers to sanction financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 10000/- in each case. In rare and exceptional circumstances, further financial assistance can also be considered from Central Welfare Fund.
10	Avenues for absorption on regular departmental posts	GDS being Extra Departmental, their absorption as departmental employee to the cadre of MTS/Postman/PA is through direct recruitment under the statutory recruitment rules. Under the statutory Recruitment Rules of the cadre of MTS, GDS are considered for 25% vacancies against seniority quota and further 25% vacancies through Limited Departmental Examination (LDE). As per Recruitment Rules of Postman cadre, GDS are considered against 50% vacancies through LDE. In addition, GDS can also be considered for direct recruitment to the post of Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant (SA) against unfilled promotion quota vacancies of PA/SA on the basis of examination subject to fulfillment of the following conditions as on 01st January of the vacancy year:- (i)                 GDS should have obtained at least 50% marks in 10+2 standard or 12th class with English as a compulsory subject (excluding vocational streams) and have put in a minimum service of 5 years (ii)               They should be within 30 years of age (35 years for SC/ST & 33 years for OBC)

A news from Postal Administrative Union CHQ NFPE

   A news  from  Postal Administrative Union CHQ NFPE

STRIKE ! STRIKE !!  STRIKE !!!

IN EVERY OFFICE, EVERY DEPARTMENT, EVERY WHERE

THERE IS ONLY ONE TALK

STRIKE ! STRIKE !! STRIKE !!! STRIKE !!!

Dear Comrades,

Nationwide Strike of Central Govt. employees commences from tomorrow. 

For 2 days’ STRIKE:

1.   MTS would face wage cut between Rs.900/- to Rs.1800/- depending on the length of the service. Whereas for non merger of DA, they face wage loss between Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 5000/- per month.

2.   PACOs & SUPERVISORS would face wage cut between Rs. 1300/- to Rs. 3100/- depending on the length of the service. Whereas for non merger of DA , they face wage loss between Rs. 3500/- to Rs. 8000/- per month.

Coal India clerks are getting Rs. 80,000/- per month after 27 years of service, whereas we are getting only Rs. 50,000/- per month after 27 years of service. Coal India had done 52 days STRIKE at a stretch and faced 52 days’ wage cut.

Bank clerks are losing many days’ wages in a year. They are also getting more than Rs. 20,000/- extra per month after 27 years of service than Postal Clerks. Identical cadres of MTS in both Coal India and Banks are also well placed.

So, we should join en masse in STRIKE. We must win. I will join the 2 days’ STRIKE from tomorrow and face 2 days wage cut.

Please visit NFPE and ADMIN blogs everyday for recent updates.

Comradely yours,

Pranab Bhattacharjee

(General  Secretary)

latest strike news

48 HOURS STRIKE

நமது இரண்டு நாள் வேலை நிறுத்த போராட்ட அறிவிப்பின் காரணமாக ஏழாவது சம்பளக்கமிசன் அமைக்கப்பட்டுவிட்டது............  ஆனால்

DA MERGER  பற்றி  தகவல் இல்லை.....

இடைக்கால நிவாரணம் பற்றி தகவல் இல்லை....

GDS பற்றி தகவல் இல்லை........

நடைமுறைபடுத்தும் தேதியில் மாற்றம் இல்லை ....

ஊழியர் தரப்பில் இருந்து எந்த ஆலோசனையும் பெறவில்லை .....

ஊழியர் தரப்பில் இருந்து சம்பளக்கமிசனில் உறுப்பினர் நியமனம்இல்லை.........

எனவே நமது முக்கிய கோரிக்கைகளில் எந்த வித சமரசமும்இல்லை

48 மணி நேர வேலை நிறுத்த போராட்டத்தில் எந்த மாற்றமும் இல்லை

வீரமிகு தோழர்களே! தோழியர்களே!! நமது கோரிக்கைகளை வென்றடைய அனைவரும் வேலை நிறுத்தத்தில்  NFPE P3, P4, GDS

WELL  DONE  COMRADES !   

CONGRATULATIONS & RED SALUTE !!

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT & NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT CONGRATULATES ALL THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES INCLUDING POSTAL, RMS & GRAMIN DAK SEWAKS EMPLOYEES WHO MADE THE  BEGINNING OF THE TWO DAYS STRIKE A MARVELLOUS AND THUNDERING SUCCESS.

THE HISTORIC 48 HOURS NATION WIDE STRIKE COMMENCED AT 00:00 HRS ON 12.02.2014

13 LAKHS  EMPLOYEES INCLUDING 5 LAKHS POSTAL EMPLOYEES  JOINED  THE BIGGEST STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AFTER 1968 ON CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COMMON DEMANDS.

FUNCTIONING OF ALL CENTRAL GOVT. OFFICES (OTHER THAN RAILWAYS & DEFENCE) COMPLETELY PARALYSED AND CAME TO A STANDSTILL. 1,55,000 POST OFFICES AND RMS OFFICES INCLUDING BRANCH POST OFFICES CLOSED.

WARNING AND THREAT OF VICTIMISATION BY THE GOVT COULD NOT DETER THE EMPLOYEES FROM JOINING THE STRIKE.

PENT UP DISCONTENTMENT AND ANGER OF THE EMPLOYEES BURST OUT LIKE A VOLCANO.

EVERYWHERE ENTIRE EMPLOYEES ARE ON STRIKE AND IN MAJORITY OF THE STATES/CIRCLES AND DEPARTMENTS IT IS ALMOST NEAR TOTAL.

UPA GOVERNMENT  IS NOT READY TO CONCEDE ANY OF OUR DEMANDS, JUST AS IN THE CASE OF BANK EMPLOYEES.

CONTINUE THE STRIKE ON 13TH FEBRUARY ALSO.

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET ON 18TH FEBRUARY AND DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.

  

         

                                                              M.KRISHNAN

                                                            Secretary General

                                Confederation Central Govt. Employees and Workers

                                                                         &

                                          National Federation of Postal Employees

                                                            Mob: 09447068125

                                                Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.om

strike news

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT.EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

STRIKE ! STRIKE !!  STRIKE !!!

IN EVERY OFFICE, EVERY DEPARTMENT, EVERY WHERE

THERE IS ONLY ONE TALK

STRIKE ! STRIKE !! STRIKE !!! STRIKE !!!

TO PROTEST AGAINST THE  INDIFFERENT AND NEGATIVE ATTITUDE OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

WELL  SET  FOR  ACTION

FROM 2014 FEBRUARY 12th 00.00 AM ONWARDS MORE THAN THIRTEEN LAKHS CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES SHALL GO ON TWO DAYS NATIONWIDE STRIKE.

SHUT DOWN ALL CENTRAL GOVT. OFFICES

ON 12TH & 13TH

WE DEMAND   MERGER OF DA

WE DEMAND   INTERIM RELIEF

WE DEMAND   CIVIL SERVANT STATUS FOR GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

WE DEMAND   INCLUSION OF GDS IN SEVENTH CPC

WE DEMAND REGULARISATION AND REVISION OF WAGES OF CASUAL LABOURERS.

WE DEMAND   DATE OF EFFECET OF 7TH CPC FROM 01-01-2014

WE DEMAND   SCRAP NEW PENSION SCHEME & RESCIND PFRDA ACT

WE DEMAND  STOP OUTSOURCING, DOWNSIZING, CONTRACTORI- SATION & PRIVATISATION

WE DEMAND   FILLING UP OF ALL VACANT POSTS

WE DEMAND   FIVE PROMOTIONS

WE DEMAND   STOP PRICE RISE

WE DEMAND   SETTLE 15 POINT CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Regarding payment towards medical bills to the doctors.

Regarding    payment towards   medical   bills   to   the   doctors.

Daily Current Affairs Updates: 08 February 2014

Daily Current Affairs Updates: 08 February 2014

1) Automatic SMS after confirmation of waitlisted train tickets: Waitlisted passengers will soon get status messages in their mobile phones if their tickets get confirmed before journey. A senior Railway Ministry official said the waitlisted passenger will get an SMS about the status of the ticket on the mobile phone number given at the time of ticket booking before the journey. Currently, one has to either dial the enquiry number 139 or use the Internet to know the waitlisted ticket status. CRIS, the technological arm of Railways, is making the software for the SMS-based service.

2) N. Srinivasan to become first chairman of ICC board: N. Srinivasan, President, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will be the first chairman of the revamped International Cricket Council (ICC) board. He will take over in July. The ICC board, which will continue to be the primary decision-making body, at a meeting in Singapore approved a comprehensive resolution relating to governance, competition and financial models of the ICC. A new executive committee will be formed to report to the board. The initial chair of this will be Wally Edwards from Cricket Australia (CA) while the chair of the Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee will continue to be Giles Clarke from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Two of the full members – Pakistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket - abstained in the vote as they felt they needed more time to discuss the amended resolution with their respective boards

3) World Test Championship axed, Champions Trophy returns:  The Champions Trophy one-day tournament will continue in 2017 and 2021, replacing plans for a World Test Championship. The decision was taken at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting on Saturday.

4) RK Tewari tipped to be new CBDT Chairman: Senior IRS officer RK Tewari is tipped to be the new chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, the apex authority of the Income-Tax Department. Sources said the final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has been received and the Finance Ministry will soon issue orders in this regard.

5) General Motors CEO Mary Barra tops the Fortune global list of 50 most powerful women in business.  She, the first woman to run a global automaker, is followed in the list by IBM's Ginni Rometty at 2nd and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi at the 3rd rank. ICICI Bank Managing Director 'Chanda Kochhar' (18th) is the only Indian, apart from Nooyi, to feature in this coveted list.

6) Finance ministry has extended Upendra Kumar Sinha’s tenure as SEBI head for another two years on 7th February. He has been doing a phenomenal job and this extension will give more time to continue pursuing reforms aimed at bringing more transparency to stock markets.

7) India’s largest paramilitary force CRPF has appointed five-time world boxing champion and Olympic bronze medalist M C Mary Kom as its brand ambassador.

8) Sachin set to lead MCC against Warne's Rest of World: Retired batting icon Sachin Tendulkar will be seen in cricketing gears once again when he leads the MCC team against Shane Warne-led Rest of the World side at the Lord's in a one-day game on July 5 to mark the bicentenary celebrations of the historic club.

passport application in post offices

Now, passport application in post offices

TRICHY: Passport applicants have more reason to cheer now. Henceforth, applications for passport-related matters can be filed online at the kiosks set up at select post offices in the central region of Tamil Nadu. The step is to prevent private agents from exploiting the public who collect exorbitant charges. The facility, said to be the first-of-its-kind in the country would start from February 10.

The regional passport office (RPO), Trichy region entered into an agreement with post master general, central region to open a kiosk at head post offices in the region. A postal staff at the kiosk will process the online application for passport-related matters. "With a view to ensure hassle-free process to the passport applicants, the new system of applying for passport at post offices is going to be started in the central region with the help of the postal department. It will surely help make the online application perfect so that it cannot be rejected at the time of procession in the passport seva kendras," K Balamurugan, RPO, Trichy told TOI.

Balamurugan also said the people who do not have access to the internet in rural areas can make use of the facility.

The head post offices in Trichy, Lalgudi, Srirangam, Thuraiyur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Karur, Kulithalai, Kumbakonam, Melakaveri, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pattukottai, Thiruthuraipoondi, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Papanasam, Mannargudi, Vriddhachalam, Koviloor, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore and Chidambaram would have the facility.

In Trichy, the facility will be available at the sub-post offices in Golden Rock, Teppakulam and Fort. People can make use of the facility from 9am to 3pm in head post offices and from 10 am to 3pm in sub-post offices on all working days.

The applicant has to pay Rs 100 per application in the post offices except in Trichy district. The postal department has agreed to render the service for Rs 70 per application in the post offices in Trichy. However, some of the unauthorised online passport application centres are allegedly charging Rs 200 to Rs 300 per application. On the other hand, the applications filled in at those centres had a lot of mistakes which led to their rejection at the PSKs.

The passport office provided training to the 35 postal staff who will be handing the application filing process. The rest of the process after filing the application will be carried out in the PSK as usual.