Post offices to go digital by March 2012

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Even as the optic fiber network is yet to become a reality, the Union government is batting for digitization of key departments to disseminate e-services to the citizens.

The Department of Posts has undertaken a massive digitization endeavor that will enable all the 1,55,000 post offices to be fully computerized by March 2012. For 2011-2012, Rs 626.41 crore has been earmarked for digitization drive.

The project will also facilitate senior managers to access all branches throughout the country. With a dedicated dashboard, the top management could track the time taken by the clerical staff in routine tasks.

Speaking to CIOL, India Post Manager Sube Singh Paul said that nearly 70 per cent of the project has already been completed. “The project will ensure effective time management. The time taken in money deposit as well as pending work can be monitored remotely,” he said.

Paul also informed that the Department of Post has procured three machines from the Siemens, Germany for letter sorting for speed post and ordinary mail. The government has, however, already launched e-Post, he informed.

As a part of project Arrow, 2,920 post offices were computerized and 92 post offices were upgraded their hardware in 2010.