POST OFFICES IN ODISHA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 974

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13TH FEBRUARY, 2025

POST OFFICES IN ODISHA

974

SHRI NIRANJAN BISHI:

(a) Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state:

the number of accounts opened in post offices in Odisha under different schemes, scheme-wise and district-wise;

(b) the total amount deposited by the people of Odisha in post offices under various schemes;

(c) whether a large number of beneficiaries have complained about being deprived of benefits and lodged complaints at different levels, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the action taken against those involved in fraudulent activities and the mechanism in place to investigate such incidents; and

(e) the number of computerized post offices in Odisha, district-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a)The details of accounts opened in post offices in Odisha under different schemes, scheme-wise and district-wise as on 31.01.2025, are enclosed as Annexure-I.

(b) The details of total amount deposited by the people of Odisha in post offices under various schemes, as on 31.01.2025, are enclosed as Annexure-II.

(c) No specific complaints have been received in Odisha Circle from beneficiaries regarding deprivation of benefits. Complaints received under the complaint redressal mechanism are resolved under intimation to the complainants.

(d) The details of the action taken against those involved in fraudulent activities and the mechanism to investigate such incidents are as under:

(i). Action taken against those involved in fraudulent activities

Depending on the gravity of the case, the matter is reported to the police or CBI. Apart from criminal proceedings, disciplinary action is also taken against officials involved as per the Central Civil Services Rules 1965. Punishments are reviewed for adequacy and recoveries are made for defrauded amount from the offender and action invoked under Orissa Public Demands Recovery Act1962 (OPDR Act) for recovery of outstanding loss.

(ii). Mechanism in place to investigate such incidents

Investigation into frauds/ cases of misappropriation/complaints are taken at Departmental level and are also reported to CBI and Enforcement Directorate as the case may be in accordance with guidelines issued by Central vigilance Commission. Departmental investigation is carried out as prescribed in Postal Manual Volume III and Postal Manual Volume V. After the detection of fraud, investigation is carried out at Divisional Level/ Regional Office level/Circle Office level as per the monetary limits prescribed for the same.

(e) The number of computerized post offices in Odisha, district wise is enclosed as

Annexure-III.