India Post hits a bull’s eye with ‘My stamp’

The scheme has been crowd-puller in Chennai, Nagapattinam

The ‘My stamp’ programme, introduced by the India Post in Chennai in May 2013, has been evoking overwhelming response and has fetched a revenue of Rs. 5 lakh in 2013-14 fiscal. With the stamps providing a personal touch, it has gone down well with the members of the public in Chennai, said J.T. Venkateswarlu, Postmaster General, Central Region.

Speaking after launching the ‘My Stamp’ counter at the Head Post Office here on Friday, Mr. Venkateswarlu said that one had to fill a form and be photographed at the Philatelic Bureau at the Head Post Office. “One can have his or her image printed on a stamp of Rs. 5 denomination and use it,” he said.

Next to Chennai, the counter was opened in Nagapapttinam which attracted a large number of tourists and pilgrims. The Tiruchi head post office was the third centre in the State where “My stamp” counter has been made available. The fee for a sheet containing 12 postage stamps is Rs. 300.

The stamps would be delivered by post within a few days, he said. Customers would have to provide some proof of their identity, he added.

Mr. Venkateswarlu said the department had introduced core banking services in all 73 post offices, including 24 head post offices and 49 sub-post offices.

Steps had been taken to introduce automated teller machine (ATM) services at 24 head post offices.

The central region of the postal department with Tiruchi as headquarters was taking a lead in the area of postal services particularly with regard to opening of savings bank accounts, mobilisation of recurring deposits, and term deposits. The postal department would launch an awareness programme in rural areas on the advantages of rural Posta Life Insurance Scheme.

Special incentive

He said the Centre attached priority for encouraging postal services for financial inclusion. Every savings or recurring deposit account opened with the post office fetched a revenue of Rs. 195 to the post office concerned. “The idea is to ensure financial inclusiveness of all citizens particularly in rural areas,” he added.