SIBAL HOLDS ROUND TABLE CONSULTATIONS ON PARTNERING INDIA POST: 2012 AND BEYOND

Sh. Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a Round Table Conference here today with the stakehold...

Sh. Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a Round Table Conference here today with the stakeholders to deliberate upon "Partnering India Post: 2012 and Beyond". Opening the deliberations Shri Sibal said that this conference has been organized to enable this national asset to play a bigger and effective role in the socio and economic development of the nation. The deliberations will help understand the areas, methods and challenges for developing a symbiotic and long term relationship between India post and key stakeholders. This will also help department of posts to develop the future business model and its integration with the technological architecture of India post 2012 project - an ambitious programme of computerizing and digitally connecting the entire postal network which is likely to further strengthen our potentials and the capabilities.

            Key Stakeholders from Banking/ Insurance/ Telecom/ FMCG/ IT/ e-Commerce/ Logistics/ Publications/ Financial Institutions/ Government Ministries & Departments/ Industry Associations/ Academic sector participated in the Round Table conference and engaged into discussions to give shape to the India Post 2012 Project and explore strategic tie-ups with India Post as follows:-

- Public sector banks for retailing of loan products, mutual funds and other new age financial products including micro-insurance, micro-lending, livelihood linkages, pensions, and remittances etc.

- E-commerce portals.

- Logistics for semi-urban and rural areas for consumer or FMCG goods.

- Logistics for print media companies or distance education universities / institutions.

- Central Government Ministries and State Governments for data collection services, delivery of social security schemes like MGNREGS, NRHM etc through Post Office system.

India Post 2012 Project aims at transforming Department of Posts into a "Technology Enabled, Self Reliant Market Leader." This translates into 5 initiatives covering increased market share and revenues, new products and services, improved services delivery, motivated workforce and rural development.

            India Post with its vast network of 1.5 lakh Post-Offices and the huge bouquet of services including mails, logistics, finance, deposits, insurance, savings and retailing, have the potential to play an extremely vital role in accelerating economic growth.

            The participants from across the industry sectors put forth a number of ideas for symbiotic strategic tie-ups, beneficial for both India Post and business partners which were duly appreciated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India making the Round Table conference a success. Shri Sachin Pilot, Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications & IT, Government of India summarized the deliberations of the round table conference at the end of the conference.

            Concluding the deliberations the Minister of State for Communications and IT, Shri Sachin Pilot said that today's consultations show that Department of Posts belongs to all. This should be a beginning for new endeavours, financial inclusion and opportunities for rural masses.

            About seventy representatives of various Departments, PSUs, Banks and corporate world participated. Secretary, Department of Posts and senior officers of the Department were also present.

Source: PIB Release, July 4,2011