Foreword
Infrastructure
Communication Infrastructure
Postal Network of Kerala
Indian postal system is the largest in the World with a network of about 1.55 lakh Post Offices, of which 1.39 lakh (89.78 per cent) are in rural areas and 15,826 (10.22 per cent) in urban areas of the country. The postal network consists of four categories of post offices namely, Head Post Offices, Sub Post Offices, Extra Departmental Sub Post Offices and Extra Departmental Branch Post Offices.
Kerala Postal circle includes the entire State of Kerala, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and Mahe under the Union Territory of Puducherry. Kerala is the only postal circle where every village has at least one post office. As on September 30, 2016, there are 5,066 post offices in the circle, of which 1,457 are Departmental post offices and 3,558 Extra Departmental post offices. On an average each post office in the State serves an area of 7.69 Sq.km and a population of 6,609 as against the national average of 21.21 sq.km and a population of 7,175 people. In total, 83 per cent of the post offices are located in rural areas. Major Activities of Kerala Postal Circle is given in the Box.
Major Activities of Kerala Postal Circle during 2016-17(up to September 30, 2016)
- All the 1508 departmental post offices in the Circle are computerised and provided e-MO services
- Introduction of the facility to register the complaints on the web and track the progress till it is finally settled
- New e-based and value added services introduced
- The track and trace facility available for registered, insured, speed post, e-MO and foreign accountable articles continued and is availed through the www.indiapost.gov.in and enables the customers to track their articles right from the time of booking to the time of delivery
- Introduction of International Speed Post or EMS - a facility available from India to 99 countries
- World Net Express Service (WNX) is introduced to connect 220 countries
- Two new parcel products of India “Express Parcel” and “Business Parcel” introduced
- Introduction of Logistics Post Air to the customers for getting end to end services on the logistics value for faster transmission /delivery of their consignments
- 1498 Post Offices (51 HOs and 1447 SOs) in the State have been shifted to the Core Banking System
- Introduction of ‘My Stamp” – any individual can get their personalized stamps with their photograph on it.
- Implementation of Public Fund Monitoring System (PFMS) or NeFMS platform for effective wage disbursal under MGNREGS
- Tie up with Kerala State Government for Corporate e-post
- Tie up with Commissioner for Entrance Exam for selling Application forms under Retail post
- Tie up with Director, LBS Centre for Science & Technology
- Kerala Water Authority under e-payment
- BSNL under e-payment
- Tie up with Local Self Government for tax collection
- Tie up with Kerala Books and Publication Society (KBPS), for distribution of text books to schools throughout the State for the academic year 2015-16
- Sale of Penta Mobile through Post Offices (e-payment)
As a result of these initiatives from the part of Indian post, Post Offices in Kerala has improved its functioning as the hub for every citizen. Every citizen now has access to this hub which is close to his/her doorstep. Details are shown in Appendix 5.49, Appendix 5.50, Appendix 5.51 and Appendix 5.52.
Telecommunications
Telecommunication is one of the prime support services needed for rapid growth and modernisation of the economy. The telecommunication service in India has improved significantly since independence. Kerala Telecom circles serve the whole of Kerala State, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and part of Union Territory of Puducherry (Mahe). The circle has 11 major Secondary Switching Areas (SSAs) and one minor SSA of Lakshadweep. The status of telecom sector in Kerala is given in the Box. Districtwise details of telephone network during 2015-16 are given in Appendix 5.53.
Status of Telecom Sector in Kerala as on March 31, 2016
- No. of Telephone Exchanges : 1321
- Equipped Capacity : 3585324
- Working Connections : 2165925
- Average No. of Telephone per Sq.Km : 66.77
- Telephone Density : 70.235 per ‘000 population