Staff crunch hits services at GPO

Phagwara, July 27

Though residents of the town can avail of passport and Aadhaar card-related facilities at the post offices, the General Post Office here is facing difficulties in providing the facilities due to a shortage of staff.

Asha Rani, Officiating Postmaster, General Post Office, said only 10 employees were working against the required 21 employees. Though the jurisdiction of the Phagwara post office had increased after the formation of a municipal corporation, only eight postmen were working against the sanctioned strength of 16 postmen.

It is also learned that only bicycles have been provided to the postmen to deliver posts in the scorching heat.

The Officiating Post Master said shortage of staff was the main hindrance in the smooth working of the post offices. When told that these services have been introduced by the government, she said the government should have first increased the number of staff before introducing these services. — OC