Request to take up national-level policy intervention for operating Post Offices (BO/SO/HO) within government premises (Panchayat/Municipal Corporations) instead of rented buildings

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

Group “C” Rajasthan Circle (Affiliated To INTUC and FNPO)

PRADEEP VASHISHTHA, Regional Secretary (Southern Region, Ajmer)

Add. : Head Post Office, New Grain Mandi, Kota-324007 (Raj.)

M. : 9462729592 | E-mail : vashishtapradeep26@gmail.com

क्रमांक:- NAPE/GROUP-C/CORR/2026-27/16

DATED AT KOTA -27/08/2026

TO

Shree Sivaji Vasireddy

Secretary General FNPO

New Delhi-110001

Subject: Proposal for Central Directorate-level policy for shifting Post Offices (BO/SO/HO) from rented premises to State Government buildings (Panchayat/Municipal Complexes).

Respected Sir,

I am writing to draw your attention to a critical operational and policy issue affecting the Department of Posts, our staff, and the general public across divisions.

At present, a large number of Branch Post Offices (BOs), Sub Post Offices (SOs), and Head Post Offices (HOs) continue to function from private rented buildings. This arrangement creates severe administrative friction, financial drain, and hardship for field staff. On behalf of the regional cadre, I request you to strongly take up this matter with the Postal Directorate and the Ministry of Communications for a national-level policy agreement (MoU) with state governments.

Key Concerns & Strategic Justifications:

1. Elimination of Rental Litigation & Legal Burden: The department is entangled in numerous court cases and legal disputes with private property owners over eviction and rent escalation. These disputes consume valuable departmental revenue and administrative time. Shifting offices to government complexes will close these cases permanently, saving substantial revenue for the central government and relieving staff from unnecessary operational stress.

2. Unified Citizen-Centric Service Hubs: Operating post offices inside Gram Panchayat Bhawans, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporation buildings creates a single-window destination for rural and urban citizens. Delivering postal, IPPB banking, and government welfare schemes under one roof will significantly enhance public convenience and trust in India Post.

3. Complete Relief for Branch Postmasters (BPMs): Currently, BPMs are forced to arrange private rental accommodations at their personal level and handle landlord negotiations and rent claims. Mandating space inside local Panchayat complexes will resolve this longstanding issue and eliminate the individual burden on BPMs.

4. Provision of Basic Working Amenities: Private rented setups routinely lack basic amenities like proper toilets, clean drinking water, ventilation, and ramps for differently-abled citizens. Working in established government complexes will ensure clean, safe, and dignified conditions for both employees and visiting customers.

5. Improved IT Connectivity and Physical Security: Government premises offer better power backup, broadband/optical-fiber readiness, and enhanced structural security (boundary walls, locking systems), ensuring smooth daily operations, uninterrupted network uptime, and safe custody of cash and records.

Requested Action:

We urge you to request the Postal Directorate to formulate a central policy framework and enter into a bilateral MoU with state Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies departments. This agreement should ensure compulsory space allocation for India Post offices—especially Branch Offices—in all existing and newly constructed Panchayat and municipal buildings nationwide.

Looking forward to your strong intervention at the Directorate level.

With regards,

Yours faithfully

(Pradeep vashishtha)

Regional Secretary

Southern Region, Ajmer

Nqm H.O kota-324007