Hyderabad:All 3,545 post offices in the twin States will allow
customers to pay for postal services using credit or debit cards within
in one month, said Chief Post Master General, Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana circle, B.V. Sudhakar.
He was speaking at the launch of cash point sales or swiping machine sales at General Post Office (GPO), here on Saturday.
Various services
Customers can now swipe cards to pay for services, including
registered post, speed post, parcel services, MeeSeva and utility bill
payment services offered by post offices, among others.
A total of 345 MeeSeva services will be covered under the swipe project that is named ‘Turanth’.
Swiping service was brought to post offices as a collaborative venture between India post and State Bank of India.
The State Bank of India wwould provide all the required swipe
machines in post offices, said C.R. Sasi Kumar, Deputy Managing Director
of the bank.
“It simplifies the work and reduces burden on both the customer and
the service provider,” said Mr. Sudhakar. On the day of its launch most
transactions were made using cards, he added.
India Post, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana circle also launched ATM cash withdrawals in its post offices.
“You can use ATM cards to withdraw money up to Rs 3,000 per day from post offices in the State.
At one go customers can withdraw up to Rs.1,000 and they are allowed three transactions per day,” he said.
Useful in rural areas
The service will be useful in rural areas where there are only a few
ATMs. The service was launched for the first time in the country, post
office officials informed.
Officials said that India Post in Hyderabad is also developing a
software that would facilitate direct debit of instant money orders and
mobile money orders into customer’s SBI accounts.
To be ready in 15 days
“The facility is expected to be ready within 15 days time,” Mr.
Sudhakar said, adding his department is using technology to provide
economic, efficient, effective and easy services to customers.
The Postal Department is also planning to increase the parcel volume to improve its revenue generation.
Source : The Hindu
