Postman and Postal Department are a vital part of the ordinary citizen’s life.India post is doing exceptional work in the implementation of Government schemes . Now, in order to ensure universal coverage of flagship postal schemes in rural areas, on September 10, 2020, Union Minister of State for Communications, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre has launched a scheme namely “Five Star Villages” along with Department of Post.
The project is initially being launched in Maharashtra and based upon the progress of the scheme, it will be implemented across the country.
Director General (Posts), Shri Vineet Pandey; and Postmaster General, Mumbai Region, Ms Swati Pandey also attended the online launch.
Schemes covered under Five Star Villages:
- Savings Bank accounts, Recurring Deposit Accounts, National Savings Certificate (NSC)/ Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) certificates
- Sukanya Samridhi Accounts/ PPF Accounts
- Funded Post Office Savings Account linked India Post Payments Bank Accounts
- Postal Life Insurance Policy/Rural Postal Life Insurance Policy
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Account / Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Account
Key Points:
-If a village attains universal coverage for four schemes from the above list, then that village gets four-star status; if a village completes three schemes, then that village gets three-star status and so on.
-The scheme will be implemented by a team of five Gramin Dak Sevaks who will be assigned a village for marketing of all products, savings and insurance schemes of the Department of Posts. This team will be headed by the Branch Post Master of the concerned Branch Office. The teams will be led and monitored by concerned Divisional Head, Assistant Superintendents Posts and Inspector Posts. Monthly progress will be reviewed by the Chief PostMaster General.
-The team of Gramin Dak Sevaks will conduct a door-to-door awareness campaign on all schemes.
-Required training and infrastructure, would be provided to all branch offices in identified villages.
– Branch offices will function as one-stop shops to cater post office related needs of villagers.
Implementation of scheme on pilot basis:
The entire state of Maharashtra will be covered under the scheme starting with, two rural districts / areas for each region: Akola and Washim in Nagpur Region; Parbhani and Hingoli in Aurangabad Region; Solapur and Pandharpur in Pune Region; Kolhapur and Sangli in Goa Region; and Malegaon and Palghar in Navi Mumbai Region. A total of 50 villages in each district will be covered during the current financial year 2020-2021.
Recent Related News:
On 12th May 2020, the Thiruvananthapuram division of Southern Railways and Kerala Circle of Postal department has initiated a first of its kind to establish tie up with the door delivery and pick up of parcels to help the public during the lockdown.
Static Points:
Union Minister of Communications– Ravi Shankar Prasad
Director General (Posts)– Vineet Pandey
