DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE
Chanakyapuri Post Office Complex, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi -110021

No. 18-03/2022-LI

Dated: 03.03.2023

To
All Heads of Circles

Subject: Payment of incentive on PLI and RPLI business procured for the month of January 2023 – regarding.

This is regarding payment of incentive on PLI and RPLI business procured by sales force of PLI and RPLI for the month of January 2023.

2 In this connection, the undersigned is directed to convey approval of the competent authority for payment of the incentive due as mentioned in the Annexure to all categories of sales force for PLI and RPLI business procured in the month of January 2023. It is intimated that the incentive amount mentioned in the said Annexure is excluding GST. Further, payment of due GST on the incentive payable to the sales force of PLI and RPLI for January 2023 may be made as per SAP issued vide PLI Directorate letter no 29-09/2021-LI dated 16.09.2022. Booking of incentive payment and GST may be made in the correct head of account/GL code.

3. Circles are requested to make incentive payment for the month of January 2023 at the earliest and send a compliance report to PLI Directorate. The incentive payment by Circles must not exceed the incentive liability as intimated by Circles for the month of January 2023 as indicated in the Annexure.

4. Due to technical issues in the system, Circles are requested to keep the instructions issued for generation and disbursement of incentive from the system as per the SOP issued vide PLI Directorate letter of even number dated 06.10.2022 in- abeyance till further orders.

3. It is once again reiterated that as per para 7.3 of PLI Directorate letter no 28- 03/2019-LI (4) dated 25.06.2021, “If a sales force does not procure a minimum of four (4) new policies in a financial year (FY 2022-23), the license (provisional/permanent) of the sales force may deemed to be terminated w.e.f. 01.04.2023. In case, if the said sales force, whose license has been terminated on account of non-procurement of four (4) policies in a financial year, wants to procure PLI/RPLI business, then she/he may apply afresh for license and a new agency code will be allocated to her/him. Under no circumstances, the terminated license of the sales force shall be reactivated”.

6. This issues with approval of competent authority.

(Gurvinder Singh)
Deputy Divisional Manager-I

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Government of India
Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts
DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE
Chanakyapuri Post Office Complex, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021

F. No. 04-01/2019-LI

Dated: 13.01.2023

To,
1. All Heads of Circles
2. Addl DG APS
3. Director, RAKNPA
4. All Regional PMsG
5. All Directors PTCs

Subject: Bonus declaration in respect of PLI – reg.

Respected Madam/Sir,

Kindly find enclosed Gazette Notification No. 11 dated 11.01.2023 (Gazette ID – CG-DL-E- 11012023-241903) declaring bonus on PLI policies for financial year FY 2023-24 for information.

2 The Notification may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

Sd-
(Shiv Kumar)
Assistant Director (PLI)

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
(Department of Posts)
(DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE)

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 4th January, 2023

F. No. 04-01/2019-LI. – In exercise of powers conferred vide Rule 3 of Post Office Life Insurance Rules (2011) and on the basis of Actuarial Valuation of the assets and liabilities of Post Office Life Insurance Fund (POLIF) as on 31.03.2022, the Director General Postal Services is pleased to declare a simple Reversionary Bonus on the Postal Life Insurance Policies on their becoming claims, due to death or maturity at the following rates:-

2. The rates of Bonus for the Financial Year 2023-24 will be applicable from 01.04.2023.

3. Interim Bonus at the rates mentioned above will also be payable for all claims arising due to maturity or death until future valuation is completed.

4. The amount of Bonus involving a fraction of 50 paisa or more shall be rounded off to the next higher Rupee and fraction below 50 paisa shall be ignored.

JITENDRA GUPTA,
Chief General Manager (PLI)

Bonus declaration in respect of PLI

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Government of India
Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts
DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE IN SURANCE
Chanakyapuri Post Office Complex, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-11 0021

F.No. 25-04/SOP/ 2020-LI

Dated: 27.05.2022

Office Memorandum

Sub: Roll out of PLI-IPPB (India Post Payments Bank) functionality 

This is regarding roll out of PLI-IPPB functionality deployed from 27-05-22, which provides the facility of payment of PLI/RPLI renewal premia through following modes:-

• (i) IPPB Mobile App – Customer can deposit their PLI/RPLI premium through mobile app.
• (ii) IPPB Counters – Customer can visit Post office IPPB Counter to deposit PLI/RPLI premium.
• (iii) Micro ATM (Through Postman & GDS) – In addition to other IPPB services, now postman will be able to facilitate customer to deposit their PLI/RPLI premium using micro ATM device.
• (iv) Standing Instructions through IPPB Account – Customer can register for Standing Instruction either by visiting IPPB counters or using IPPB mobile app every month, PLI/RPLI premium will be debited automatically from their IPPB account.

2 It is further informed that Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the above functionality will be circulated separately by IPPB team.

3 Standard Accounting Procedure (SAP) as received from PAF Division, Postal Directorate containing roles of different offices is being enclosed for reference & necessary action by the respective offices.

4 It is, therefore, requested that the above information may widely be disseminated among all administrative offices, operational staff & marketing staff for wide publicity & also for sensitizing our valuable customers about the functionality.

Encls: SAP 

(Hariom Sharma)
Deputy Divisional Manager-II

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Government of India
Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts
DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE
Chanakyapuri Post Office Complex, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021

No. 25-04/SOP/2020-LI

Dated : 05.05.2022

Office Memorandum

Subject: SOP for handling of Name Change requests in PLI/RPLI Policies

This is regarding issue of Standard operating Procedure (SOP) for handling of “Name change” requests in PLI/RPLI Policies.

Various references were received from circles about the procedure to be adopted and document(s) to be considered from an insurant or claimant for processing a name change request.

In order to streamline the process of handling such cases in different scenarios where requirement of name change arises, due to one or other event occurring during the policyholder’s term, a SOP has been devised taking into consideration different possible scenario(s) requiring name change along with documents required in each case and manner of submission of form.

Further, following annexures are enclosed which will be required while following the said SOP:

Annexure I: Request Form for correction/ Change in Policy holders, Name or correction in Nominees’/ appointees’ Name.

Annexure II: Acknowledgement Slip (to be filled by official or incharge CPC and Handed Over to Insurant or as the case may be).

Annexure III: List of Document required and Address Proof.

The approved SOP is enclosed herewith for wide circulation among all the officials concerned with instruction to follow the same in spirit.

This issues with the approval of competent authority.

(Hariom Sharma)
Deputy Divisional Manager-II

F. No. 25-04/SOP/2020-LI

Dated : 05.05.2022

Handling of “Name Change” requests in PLI/RPLI Policies

There may be situations in which the name of the policyholder may be misspelled in a policy document, or the policyholder may undergo a name change during the policy term. Sometimes female policyholders change their legal name after their marriage. In such instances, variation in name of insurant or nominee during the term of a PLI/RPLI or at the time of claim does not absolve the Department of the liability for payment of policy money. However, an additional check is required to avoid any chances of identity theft or fraudulent claims.

In order to facilitate the insurant for getting the necessary correction in name in expeditious way and settlement of claim in hassle free manner, it is decided that the following procedure shall, henceforth, be followed by all concerned.

1. There may be requirement of correction of name or change of name in respect of insurant/ nominee/ appointee in following two stages of a PLI/RPLI policy i.e.

• By the insurant during the policy term or at the time of claims like survival benefit, surrender and maturity benefit.
• By the nominee/appointee/claimant at the time of death claim

2. The following may be the circumstances requiring alteration in name viz.

2.1 If a woman wants to change her surname post marriage or due to some specific reason.

2.2 If a couple has adopted a child and wants their surname after his/her name (legalise the adoption)

2.3 If the insured has his/her surname legally changed for a specific reason

2.4 If the name of the policyholder has some disparity (misspelling)

2.5 In any other scenario or for reason, not listed above

3. Manner of Submission of application form by Insurant for change of his/her name during the policy term or at the time of claiming survival benefit, maturity, and surrender benefit.

3.1 Application in prescribed format (Annexure-I) along with required documents can be submitted by the Insurant at any Post Office (BO/SO/HO) or PLI-CPC across the country through himself/herself along with all original documents for comparison with copy of the document(s) by official concerned.

3.2 The following documents are required to be submitted by the insurant: –

3.2.1 Self-Attested copies of Identity proof and Address proof of the insurant (as per Annexure-III)

3.2.2 Original Policy Bond (In case of non-availability of policy bond in original or through DigiLocker (as prescribed), indemnity bond prescribed for issue of duplicate policy bond may be obtained).

3.2.3 Relevant document(s) on ground of which correction or alteration of name is being carried out, as the case may be, out of following:

List of Documents

3.3 In case any insurant is unable to visit post office or CPC, being medically unfit or outside India, for correction or alteration of name, he/she may authorize any person as a messenger for submission of the form along with necessary documents. Only an adult literate person of sound mind, who is not an insolvent, can be appointed as messenger.

3.4 In case of being medically unfit to visit CPC, a self-attested medical certificate to this effect needs to be submitted from Govt. hospital or Govt. accredited hospital.

3.5 However, in case insurant being abroad, he/she need to submit a self- attested copy of passport clearly showing the date of departure from India.

4. Manner of submission of application form by nominee/appointee/claimant where there is difference in name of insurant at the time of death claim

4.1 Cases where there is difference in name of the policyholder with that available in policy bond to the documents (like death certificate) furnished by claimant at the time of death claim, then the claimant needs to furnish the reason for the same along with the requisite documents (table 3.2.3 may be referred), as per the grounds applicable (as detailed in para 2 above) for settlement of claim.

4.2 If the claimant is unable to establish the identity of late insurant to the satisfaction, then the claimant may be asked to furnish orders of court of law or such legal documentary evidence.

5. Manner of submission of application form by nominee/ appointee/claimant where there is difference in his/her own name to that available in original policy bond at the time of death claim

5.1 Cases wherein there is difference in name of the nominee/appointee available in policy document to that mentioned in the claim documents furnished by claimant, then the claimant needs to furnish the reason for the same along with the requisite documents (as per table 3.2.3), as per the grounds applicable (as detailed in para 2 above) for settlement of claim.

5.2 If the claimant is unable to establish his/her identity, then the claimant may be asked to furnish orders of court of law or any such legal documentary
evidence.

6. Cases requiring correction of nominee/appointee name during the policy term, by the policyholder himself/herself can be processed by collection of form (Annexure-I) along with relevant KYC documents.

7. In cases, where a PLI/RPLI policy is issued with incorrect name owing to erroneous data entry made by the official (s) of Department of Posts including PLI-CPC i.e., the name of the insurant filled in proposal form is similar/identical with one of the KYC documents submitted but differ in the policy bond generated due to typographical error or any such mistake on the part of the Department, then the CPC concerned as soon as this irregularity come to their notice by themselves or through agent, before the original policy delivered to the insurant, may process immediately for correction of name change with the available documents on their own. In cases, where original policy bond has been delivered to the insurant and correction is brought into notice by CPC, agent, insurant or others, then the insurant may be requested telephonically or through registered post to submit an application on plain paper with original policy bond*. Subsequently, in both cases, CPCs shall process for issue of duplicate policy bond, for which the Department shall bear the cost. The duplicate policy bond along with name change letter generated shall be delivered to the insurant as per the usual procedure.

*Note: Requirement of original policy bond may be waived, and a self-declaration may be obtained from the insurant to the effect that the policy bond has been irrecoverably lost/damaged or untraceable and the same has not been assigned to Department of Posts or elsewhere for taking loan.

8. Action at request receiving Office

8.1 The Insurant shall submit requisite documents at any Post Office or CPC. The BPM/SPM/Postmaster or CPC in-charge of the Office concerned, where the application for name change is submitted, shall scrutinize the application to ensure that the requisite relevant documents are attached. If required, the official concerned shall help the Insurant correctly by guiding and explaining the requirements.

8.2 All the ORIGINAL documents are required to be produced while submitting the application and the same will be returned to the Insurant after having been compared with the copies thereof being submitted along with the application for name change. However, policy bond shall be submitted in original along with the application Form and shall be retained by the receiving office.

8.3 Wherever a self-attested copy of a document is submitted, the official accepting the same will compare it with the ORIGINALS and shall put his/her signature in token of having verified the copies with their originals.

8.4 Application shall be indexed, and acknowledgement slip generated through system as well as in Annexure-II and shall be given to the applicant.

8.5 Action at Branch Post Office (BO)– In case the request for name change is received at BO, the BPM shall forward the application form along with all the enclosures to its Account Office through Account Bag on the same day duly entered in their Daily Account/Daily Transaction report (DTR) after Indexing it in the RICT device, if possible.

8.6 Action at Sub Post Office (SO)– The name change application form may be received at SO either directly or through BO. In both the cases, indexing of the form shall be done at the SO itself (in cases Indexing not already done at BO for form received at BO). After Indexing, the name change application form shall be sent to the HO (CPC) concerned (with which the office is mapped with) on the same day through Account Bag duly entered in their Daily Account/Daily Transaction report (DTR).

8.7 Action at HO (CPC) – The name change application form may be received at CPC either directly or through SO/BO. The application form shall be indexed before further processing (if indexing not already done at SO/BO for the forms received at SO/BO).

9. Processing of request – Action at CPC

9.1 The CPC shall scrutinize the application to ensure that the requisite documents are attached and shall make sure the genuineness of the case.

9.2 The CPC shall do the data entry and further process the case for approval of concerned authorities.

9.3 The approving authority may satisfy herself/himself that the case is genuine, and documents submitted are complete. 9.4 On approval of the case, approver letter may be generated through the system and sent to insurant or nominee/appointee/ claimant, as the case may be, along with the copy of corrected original policy bond through registered post and copy of the same may be retained at the office for record

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F. No. 18-04/2020-LI Part (3)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Directorate of Postal Life Insurance)

Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021
Dated: 25.02.2022

To

All Heads of Circles

Subject: Payment of incentive for PLI/RPLI business procured in the month of January 2022 – regarding.

Madam/Sir,

This is regarding payment of incentive for PLI and RPLI business procured by all categories of sales force in the month of January 2022.

2. In this connection, the undersigned is directed to convey approval of the competent authority for payment of the incentive due to all categories of sales force for PLI and RPLI business procured in the month of January 2022. Booking of incentive payment may be made in the correct head of account/GL code.

3. Circles are requested to make incentive payment for the month of January 2022 by 15th March, 2022 and send a compliance report to PLI Directorate. The incentive payment by Circles must not exceed the incentive liability as intimated by Circles for the month of January 2022.

4. This issues with approval of the competent authority.

(Shiv Kumar)
Assistant Director (PLI)

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F.No.56-02/2018-LI
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Directorate of Postal Life Insurance)

Chanakyapuri P.O. Complex
New Delhi-110021
Dated: 18th January 2022

Office Memorandum

Sub: MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) Charges in r/o PLI/RPLI online transactions to be borne by Customers w.e.f 17.01.2022

In pursuance of para 3(ii) of Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) O/o Controller General of Accounts OM no. R-180001/1/2020-GBA-CGA/918-1068 dated 17.09.2021, “no MDR shall be paid by the Government portal to the Authorized Acquirer Bank and their PGs/PGAs. All MDR charges would be paid by the Customer/Card Holder…”, the necessary orders are being implemented for PLI/RPLI online premium payment transactions.

2. In light of above, MDR charges shall henceforth be paid/borne by the customer/ card holder, wherever applicable for the online PLI/RPLI premium payment transactions w.e.f 17.01.2022.

3. This information may be disseminated among sub-ordinate offices, Marketing Staff, Customers and all concerned for their necessary information and compliance.

This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

S/d,
(Hariom Sharma)
Deputy Divisional Manager-II

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Financial inclusion melas with special focus on PLI/RPLI organised by various Postal Circles across country

Street plays organised to create awareness about PLI Scheme

Posted On: 12 OCT 2021

Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, celebrated today the Postal Life Insurance (PLI) day as part of National Postal Week and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations. Department celebrates the National Postal Week every year in October, starting with the World Post Day on 9th October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This year it has been decided to celebrate the PLI Day on 12th October 2021 (Tuesday) during the National Postal Week, 2021.

Activities carried out on PLI Day :

To celebrate PLI Day on 12th October 2021, Circles organised financial inclusion melas in each district of the country with special focus on PLI and RPLI. Special claim settlement drives were conducted in Circles to bring down the pendency in claim cases. To recognise the contribution of top performing sales force in PLI and RPLI, awards were given at national and Circle level.

Some of the activities carried out by Postal Circles are mentioned below.

• Street play being organised at Chembur HO, Mumbai to create public awareness on PLI
• Financial inclusion mela with special focus of PLI/RPLI schemeorganised at Jharkhand Postal Circle

Brief on PLI :

1. Department of Posts offers two types of life insurance schemes, namely Postal Life Insurance (PLI) introduced in 1884 and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) introduced in 1995.
2. Postal Life Insurance (“PLI”) was started as a welfare measure for employees of the Postal Department in 1884 and was extended to employees of the Telegraph Department in 1888. In 1894, PLI extended insurance cover to female employees of P & T Department at a time when no other insurance company covered female lives. Benefits of PLI were available to government employees, like employees of central and state governments, PSUs, government aided educational institutions, nationalized banks, defence services and para-military forces. Recently, in September 2017, the benefits of PLI have also been extended to professionals (like engineers, doctors, bankers, lawyers, architects, journalists etc.) and employees of companies listed with National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
3. Rural Postal Life Insurance (“RPLI”) was started in 1995 to provide life insurance cover to people living in rural areas of the country who have attained the age of maturity.
4. Products offered by PLI as well as RPLI include 6 types of traditional policies (Whole Life, Endowment, Convertible Whole Life, Anticipated Endowment, Joint Life and Children policies). Low Premium and High Bonusare the unique feature of these policies, which distinguishes it from other life insurers in India. Apart from providing savings benefit and a life insurance cover, these policies also offer Loan facility to the customers. Maximum insurance limit (Sum Assured) offered is ₹50 Lakh for PLI policies and ₹10 Lakh for RPLI policies.
5. Presently, the number of active policies in PLI and RPLIare 47.18 lakh and 51.88 lakh respectively for an aggregate sum assured of more than Rs 3.5 lakh crores and the assets under management (AUM) of Rs 1.25 lakh crores.
6. PLI and RPLI policies are sourced and serviced through 1.55 Lakh Post Offices spread across the country. PLI and RPLI policyholders can pay their premium at any post office across the country. In case of salaried employees, recovery of premia from salary is possible. Premium may also be paid online through the customer portal using net banking, debit card, BHIM/UPI and wallet. Customer Portal offers a convenient any-time and any-where premium payment option to policyholders and allows policyholders to view the status of their policies on a real time basis
7. Policyholders can contact the nearest post office, Head Post Office (CPCs), office of Divisional Heads / Regional PMsG and CPMsG for redressal of their grievances.All types of claims in PLI and RPLI are settled as per prescribed citizen charter norms. Further, an appeal may be preferred by the claimant against rejection of death claim to the next higher authority in Department of Posts.

PIB

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MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
(Department Of Posts)
(DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE)

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi. the 18th February, 2021

F. No. 04-01/2019-LI. – In exercise of powers conferred vide Rule 3 of Post Office Life Insurance Rules (2011) and on the basis of Actuarial Valuation of the assets and habilities of Post Office Life Insurance Fund (POLIF) as of 31.03.2020, the Director-General (Posts) is pleased to declare a simple Reversionary Bonus on the Postal Life Insurance Policies on their becoming claims. due to death or maturity at the following rates:-

DoP – New Promotional and Incentive Structure of PLI / RPLI

2. The rates of Bonus for the Financial Year 2021-22 will be applicable from 01.04.2021.

3. Interim Bonus at the rates mentioned above will also be payable for all claims arising due to maturity or death until the future valuation is completed.

PLI Calendar 2021 – Postal Life Insurance – Department of Posts

4. The amount of Bonus involving a fraction of 50 paisa or more shall be rounded off to the next higher Rupee and the fraction below 50 paisa shall be ignored.

MANJU KUMAR.
Chief General Manager (PLI).
(Equivalent to Addl Secy.)

Source: DoP

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Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Press Information Bureau
Government of India

Dated : 11 FEB 2021

Approval accorded under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices

The Medical Device Sector in India suffers from a considerable cost of manufacturing disability vis-à-vis competing economies, inter alia, on account of lack of adequate infrastructure, domestic supply chain and logistics, high cost of finance, inadequate availability of power, limited design capabilities, low focus on research and development (R&D) and skill development, etc.

With an objective to boost domestic manufacturing, attract large investment in Medical Device Sector, the Department of Pharmaceuticals had launched a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices to ensure a level playing field for the domestic manufacturers of medical devices with a total financial outlay of Rs.3,420 cr. for the period 2020-21 to 2027-28.

The applications under four different Target Segments including “Cancer care/Radiotherapy Medical Devices”, “Radiology & Imaging Medical Devices (both ionizing & non-ionizing radiation products) and Nuclear Imaging Devices”, “Anaesthetics & Cardio-Respiratory Medical Devices including Catheters of Cardio-Respiratory Category & Renal Care Medical Devices” and “All Implants including Implantable Electronic Devices” were invited.

The Government has approved applications of following applicants, which fulfill the prescribed laid down criteria, as under:

The setting up of these plants will lead to a total committed investment of Rs. 729.63 crore by the companies and employment generation of about 2,304. The commercial production is projected to commence from 1^st April, 2022 and the disbursal of production linked incentive by the Government over the five years period would be up to a maximum of Rs.121.00 crore per applicant per target segment. The setting of these plants will make the country self-reliant to a large extent in the specified target segments in the Medical Devices Sector. The remaining pending applications are proposed to be taken up for approval by end of February, 2021.

Source: PIB

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Ministry of Communications

New version of DARPAN-PLI App deployed in Core Integration System (CIS) with facility of processing various financial and non-financial requests of PLI/RPLI insurants at 127115 Branch Post Offices

17,092 villages brought under the coverage of Bima Gram Yojana (BGY) From January, 2020 to November, 2020

Over 7 lakh Passport applications and more than 99 lakh requests for Aadhar enrollments / updations processed from January, 2020 to November, 2020

India Post tied-ups with Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, Director General of Health Services and a number of private firms and online pharmaceutical companies for delivery of medicines from their facilities to hospitals and beneficiaries during COVID-19

31 crore financial transactions enabled through Post Office and IPPB accounts during COVID 19 period

India Post won India Today Healthgiri Award for providing the best logistic services during COVID 19

Posted On: 29 DEC 2020

YEAR END REVIEW 2020 DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

For more than 150 years, the Department of Posts (DoP) has been the backbone of the country’s communication and has played a crucial role in the country’s social economic development. It touches the lives of Indian citizens in many ways: delivering mails, accepting deposits under Small Savings Schemes, providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc. The DoP also acts as an agent for Government of India in discharging other services for citizens such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) wage disbursement and old age pension payments. In the year 2020, the Department strengthened its supply chain through capacity upgradation and expanding Road Transport Network. It played important role in countering impact of COVID-19 pandemic by enabling doorstep delivery of financial services and medicines etc. The Year End Review for Department of Posts highlights the achievements, and progress on various initiatives of department in the year 2020.

Supply Chain and e-Commerce: Mail, Express Services and Parcel:

• Capacity upgradation: Parcel handling capacity has increased from 6.0 crore per annum to 7.5 crore per annum.
• Road Transport Network: National level dedicated Road Transport Network rolled out on 56 routes touching 80 cities. Approx. 15000 bags containing 75 tonnes of parcels are being carried daily through the setup network.
• Improvement in Pan – India Average Transit Time for Speed Post: Average Transit time of Speed Post reduced from 105 hrs. in July,2019 to 81 hrs. in Feb,2020.
• Real-Time updation of Delivery: Postman Mobile App implemented in 1.47 Lakh POs including 98,454 post offices in rural areas. Real time delivery status of 14 crore Speed Post and Registered articles done through the Postman Mobile App.
• E-Commerce exports: ‘DakGharNiryat Kendra’ are being established at around 800 Post Offices covering all District headquarters to promote exports of MSMEs.
• International Tracked Packet Service extended to 3 more countries Mongolia, Bhutan and Sri Lanka taking the total from 12 to 15 countries.

Banking Services and Financial Inclusion:

• Digital Financial empowerment of the public at large: DOP serves more than 50 crore POSB customers through 1.56 lakh post offices across length & breadth of the country and have an outstanding balance of Rs. 10,81,293 crore under Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) Schemes. The Post Office CBS system is the largest network in the world with 23,483 Post Offices already on this network. Further 1,29,151 Branch Post Offices have been also enabled to access the network on real time basis. The CBS has enabled the DOP in providing 24×7 services through ATMs, Internet & Mobile Banking.
• Financial Empowerment of Rural Populace: All the 9 Small Savings Schemes of MoF are available in 1.56 lakh Post Offices. 5 Schemes, namely, Monthly Income Scheme, Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, Public Provident Fund, National Savings Certificate & KisanVikas Patra have been introduced in BOs through SB Order 27/2020 dated 23.07.2020. People living in rural India will not be required to come to town & cities to do any Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) transaction. The same will be available at their doorstep through local Branch Post Offices.
• Economic Empowerment of Girl Child: Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) scheme is also known as girl child prosperity scheme and was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on 22nd January, 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. SSA scheme ensures a bright future for girl children. This scheme has facilitated them in proper education, marriage expenses and securing their future. The Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened in any post office. A total of 1.83 Crore Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts have been opened with deposits amounting to Rs. 58,822.62 Crore, by the Department of Posts, till November, 2020 since introduction of the scheme.
• Insurance and Pension coverage of masses at reasonable rates: The PM Jan Suraksha Schemes, namely, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeewan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) & Atal Pension Yojana (APY) were launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister in May, 2015. The DOP has been playing an active role under these Government of India flagship schemes and had made 3.2 Lakh Atal Pension Yojana (APY), 5.9 Lakh Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and 1.17 crore Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) enrolments so far.
• Simplified processing of deceased claim cases to expedite deceased claim settlement process and help claimants to get the claim amount expeditiously.
• Post Bank of India: More than 1.36 Lakhs Access Points enables for India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) transactions thus creating largest single bank network across the country. More than 2.90 Lakhs Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS) and Postmen enables to act as Doorstep Banking Service Providers taking Banking services to the doorstep. More than 3.61 crore people benefitted from Aadhar enabled Payment System (AePS) transactions involving an amount of Rs.7,667 crore, majority of them during COVID-19 lockdown.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): More than 3.99 crores transactions were performed involving an amount of Rs. 4,040 crore for a period from January, 2020 to November, 2020. Disbursed benefits of more than 275 schemes of different Ministries to beneficiaries including those in remote and rural areas.
• Digital Inclusion: 1,29,159 Branch Post offices are using SIM based handheld POS devices. 40 crore digital transactions have been facilitated through promotion of Remotely Managed Franking Machines for a period from January, 2020 to November, 2020.

Postal Life Insurance (PLI)/ Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) :

• Bonus of PLI for the financial years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 have been declared in the month of March, 2020. Similarly, Bonus of RPLI for the financial years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 have been declared in the month of April, 2020.
• A total of 26,54,652 transactions were done in respect of PLI/ RPLI amounting to Rs. 5,15,14,03,966/- in the month of April, 2020, inspite of nation-wide lockdown and extension of premium payment period to June, 2020.
• Since, April, 2020, there has been 48% increase in monthly PLI/RPLI online transactions.
• Inspite of lockdown and severe restrictions on transportation and staff attendance in offices, more than 90% of Central Processing Centres (CPCs) across the country were functional, more than 70,000 new proposals were processed and more than 40,000 claims were sanctioned in the month of April, 2020.
• Wirecard, the then existing payment gateway has been replaced by PayU for online premia payment, offering multiple channel of payment by customers, namely Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, Wallets and UPI.
• To simplify the process of acceptance of new proposals and facilitate settlement of claims within citizen charter’ norms, approver limits for acceptance of new proposals and settlements of claims have been revised and has been decentralized to Head Post Office/ GPO/ Divisional Level (except for early death claims involving inquiry, for which approving authority is Director). Accordingly, Rules 55, 55(1), 55(2), 58(1) and 59(2) of PLI (Postal Life Insurance) Rules, 2011 were amended.
• The process of settlement of Death Claim, Maturity Claim and handing of Loan requests in PLI/ RPLI has been simplified by prescribing Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for each.
• To facilitate faster processing of death claim cases, Rule 39 of PLI (Postal Life Insurance) Rules, 2011 has been amended keeping in line with the existing Industry practice.
• A new version of DARPAN-PLI App has been deployed in Core Integration System (CIS) with facility of processing various financial and non-financial requests of PLI/RPLI insurants at level of 127115 Branch Post Offices including those in remote and rural areas.
• Department has brought in more transparency in communication with customer by adding more SMSs relating to policy servicing.
• Department has removed 2 revival restrictions during the policy contract. Along with this, provision for revival of policy in instalments has been provisioned in the PLI system.
• Business Performance of PLI and RPLI: As on 30-11-2020, there were a total of 96.79 lakh active PLI and RPLI policies with an aggregate sum assured of Rs. 2.05 lakh crores.
• Investment Functions of PLI / RPLI Fund: The total corpus of PLI / RPLI fund has reached Rs 1.13 lakh crore by 30-11-2020.
• Bima Gram Yojana: From January, 2020 to November, 2020, 17,092 villages brought under the coverage of Bima Gram Yojana (BGY). Each BGY village has at least 100 households covered by one RPLI policy.

Citizen Centric Services:

• Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (PoPSK): With the growing need of its citizens for a passport for various purposes, Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Posts mutually agreed for setting up Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (PoPSKs) in post offices to utilise the post office infrastructure and reach for delivering passport services. 426 PoPSKs have been made operational till date, of which 02 PoPSKs opened in 2020 namely (i) Seoni, Madhya Pradesh and (ii) Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Island. 7,27,329 applications have been processed through PoPSKs from January, 2020 to November, 2020.
• Aadhar Enrolment and Updation Centres: The facility has brought convenience to the citizens by way of generating new Aadhaar and updating their Aadhaar cards in case of any change/ mis-match. More than 42,000 Postal Officials/ MTS/ GDS have been trained/ certified to perform Aadhaar operations. The Aadhaar Enrolments are done free of cost. A sum of Rs. 100/- is reimbursed by UIDAI for every successful Aadhaar Enrolment to India Post. Aadhaar Updations are chargeable and a sum of Rs. 50/- is collected from the citizens for every demographic updation and Rs. 100/- is collected from the citizens for every biometric updation.13,352 Post Office Aadhaar Centres have been set up across the country. 99,25,630requests for enrollments / updations have been processed by these Centres from January, 2020 to November, 2020.
• A total no of 3,43,296 Gangajal Bottles have been supplied for the period from January, 2020 to November, 2020.
• Digital Advancement of Rural Post Offices for a New India (DARPAN): Carried out 17.41 crores online Postal and financial transactions involving Rs. 23,251/- crores for a period from January, 2020 to November, 2020 through 1.29 lakh Branch Post Offices in the rural areas of the country. More than 1.5 crores transactions per month are taking place through DARPAN devices.
• PO-CSC (Post Office-Common Service Centres): A convergence of Post Offices and Common Service Centres (Part of CSC e-Governance Services India Limited under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology) for effective delivery of various citizen centric services is a part of the five-year Vision Document of the Department of Posts. Accordingly,10136 Post Offices are now providing services of Common Service Centres through the Digital Sewa portal of CSC. As on 30.11.2020, 48234 transactions worth Rs. 4.62 Crore were delivered through these Post Offices.
• There are 100+ CSC Services which are offered through these post offices which include Government to Citizen Schemes(G2C) such as Pradhan Manthri Street Vendors’ Athma nirbhar Nidhi Yojana (PMSVANIDHI), Pradhan Manthri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Bharat), Pradhan ManthriShram Yogi Maan-dhanYojana (PM-SYM), Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-LVM), The Election Card Printing, E-Stamp Service, and Various e-District Services. Some of B2C (Business to Citizens) Services offered includes Bharat Bill Payment System Bills (Electric, Gas, Water bills etc…), Renewal Premium collection for Life Insurance Policies and General Insurance such as Motor Vehicle, Health and Fire Insurance etc, Third party services such as EMI collections for various loans offered by financial institutions and submission of online application forms for loans and Travel services such as Ticket booking service is available for Flight, Train and Bus Tickets.

Opening of new Branch Post Offices (BOs) in 90 identified Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts in the country: In pursuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Note for Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS), a proposal for opening of 4903 new Branch Post Offices (BOs) in 90 identified LWE districts in the country was under taken. In the first Phase, 1789 Branch Post Offices in Panchayats not having post offices opened in LWE districts across the country, of which 16 Branch Post Offices have been opened from January, 2020 to November, 2020.

Public Grievances:

Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS): Department of Posts processes complaints registered by consumers of postal services in the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). Streamlining of CPGRAMS was done by mapping over 1.55 lakh Post Offices till the level of Branch Post Offices by intuitive navigation of complaints to the line-end offices for faster resolution. This was done in collaboration with Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) and the new version 7.0 was successfully launched in September 2019. Department of Posts is the only Department selected for the pilot study for the revamping by DARPG. The details of the complaints handled in 2020 upto 30.11.2020 are as under:

• Social Media Cell: Social media Cell is an independent entity and deals with the Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Department of Posts. The social media cell monitors the complaints sent to all the Circles on daily basis. The average first response time is approximately 4 hours. The details of the complaints handled in 2020 upto 30.11.2020 are as under: –

• India Post Call Centre (IPCC): ln wake of the initiatives taken up by Prime Minister to bring transparency and accountability in the Government, Department of Posts established 2ndIndia Post Call Centre with 24x7x365 IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System) facility for the citizens in Patna on 01.07.2019. IPCC is working in the four languages namely Hindi, English, Odiya and Bengali for the convenience of the citizens. 36,72,136 calls were received in IPCC from 01.01.2020 to 30.11.2020.
• Implementation of Dynamic Queue Management System (DQMS) in Post Offices: Dynamic Queue Management System (DQMS) has been installed in 57 Head Post Offices in the last one year having six or more than six working counters. Overall DQMS have been installed in 340 Post Offices. The Objectives & scope of DQMS are given below:-
• To reduce waiting time.
• To increase processing capacity.
• To reduce miscommunication among customers.
• To give a comfort level to staff and customers.
• To monitor customer flow.

Initiatives taken by the Department in the COVID-19 situation:

• Postal services were identified as essential services during lockdown. The vast network of post offices had been galvanized to respond to the challenges in coordination with State Governments and local bodies. Control Rooms at India Post HQ and Circle (State) HQs were established to manage, receive and respond for immediate needs.
• Supply Chain: Road Transport Network connecting 56 routes and 75 cities was commenced in April, 2020 utilizing Departmental Mail Vans. The network came handy to delivery essentials, medicines and medical equipment including ventilators, defibrillators, COVID 19 testing kits, masks and PPE kits. Around 36,000 tonnes of material were delivered through postal channels which also include use of Parcel Trains. Supply chain arrangements were also made for farmers to connect their farm produce to markets.
• Financial Inclusion: During lockdown and initial phase of unlocking more than 33.95 crore transactions valuing around Rs. 7.02 lakh crore were made through POSB accounts. Around 78 lakh POSB ATM transactions amounting to Rs. 2389 crore were made.
• Instructions issued during lockdown for the ease of customers:
• Waive off penalty/ revival fee (default fee) in RD/ PPF/ SSA Accounts for the deposits due in FY 2019-20 and April, 2020, till June, 2020.
• Relaxation in guidelines in respect of PPF/ SSA Accounts for a Single Deposit pertaining to FY 2019-20 till June, 2020.
• Extension of the prescribed time limit of one month post retirement for retirees, of Feb 2020 to April 2020, to invest in Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) till June, 2020.
• Relaxation in provisions for rebate on RD Advance deposits & default fee for the month of March 2020 to May, 2020 without default/ revival fee, till June, 2020.
• Reduction in TDS rate in POSB Schemes for the period from 14.05.2020 to March, 2021.
• Various relaxation under POSB schemes extended till 30.07.2020 instead of 30.06.2020.

• India Post tied-ups with Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, Director General of Health Services and a number of private firms and online pharmaceutical companies for delivery of medicines from their facilities to hospitals and beneficiaries.
• During COVID period, Rs. 5200 crore disbursed to 2.5 crore beneficiaries through AePS at the doorstep who were not able to access banking facilities.
• 31 crore financial transactions enabled during COVID19 period through Post Office and IPPB accounts.
• Taking initiative in public interest, special features have been added to Post info App for accepting emergent service requests from people. More than 60,000 service requests have been attended by Department of Posts during lockdown.
• Activated Mobile Post Offices across the country to provide basic postal services, food and masks distribution etc.
• Free distribution of around 10 lakhs food and ration packets was made to the needy.
• Launched dedicated Road Transport Network in April, 2020 on 56 long haul routes and connected farm produce of farmers to markets by activating postal supply chain.
• India Post won India Today Health giri Award for providing the best logistic services during COVID19. The selfless service of the employees of India Post did not go unnoticed!
• Special Covers, Post Cards and Special Impressions were issued with messages to create awareness about social distancing and to express gratitude to Corona Warriors.
• A grace period was provided to all the Registered Newspapers from March, 2020 to November, 2020 for printing and posting of their editions as per their convenience.
• Department of Posts has extended the Postal Life Insurance (PLI) / Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) premium payment period due on March, 2020, April, 2020 and May, 2020 upto 30.06.2020 without penalty/default fee due to outbreak of COVID19.Due to outbreak of COVID19, date for revival of lapsed policies, in which premia have not been paid during the last 5 years, was extended in phases.
• CPGRAMS Portal: A separate category for ‘COVID-19’ grievances was created on CPGRAMS to address and monitor grievances of the public with regard to their postal needs in the backdrop of the pandemic. 1235 grievances have been resolved within the prescribed timeline of 3 days since the creation of the category i.e. from 30.03.2020.
• Social Media: Social Media (Twitter handle of India Post) had a mitigating effect in this pandemic by providing immediate relief to the citizens by redressing their concerns in booking and delivering medicines and arranging financial transactions in post offices. 1.54 lakh grievances have been resolved during the period of lockdown.
• Separate category of COVID 19 Grievances provided on the Online portal. IPPC services over 25 Lakh calls during COVID 19 lockdown.

Miscellaneous:

• Human Resource Management: The Department has conducted various training sessions and a total no of 92,824 officers / officials were trained for the period from January, 2020 to November, 2020.

Source: PIB

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