CHALLENGING BIG PLAYERS: U. Srinivasa Raghavan, Member, Postal Services Board, receiving the first order at the launch of Logistics Post in Bangalore on Thursday. Meera Datta (right), Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Postal Circle, Vatsala Raghu, Principal Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Postal Circle, and M.P. Rajan, Postmaster General, South Karnataka Postal Region, are seen. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: India Post, run by the Department of Posts, on Thursday entered the express cargo segment by launching Logistics Post for delivering consignments.

Speaking at the inauguration of service, Meera Datta, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Postal Circle, said the service is initially available between Bangalore and Chennai with intermediary stations at Hosur, Vellore, Ranipet, Ambur and Kanchipuram, and between Bangalore and Mysore.

"India Post has the oldest and largest logistics organisation in the country. After evolving Speed Post, Business Post, and e-post, the next logical step seemed to be Logistics Post," U. Srinivasa Raghavan, Member, Postal Services Board, said.

He said that with Logistics Post, the department has emerged a full-range player in the Indian logistics industry. The two reasons for its launch are to make India Post a one-stop source for people to send goods and parcels and to provide them with one brand to rely on. "With e-post, we have tried to bridge the digital divide between the haves and have-nots," he added.

Vatsala Raghu, Principal Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Postal Circle, and M.P. Rajan, Postmaster General, South Karnataka Postal Region, were present.

Special Correspondent writes:

To compete with the big names in the express cargo industry, the department will levy 60 paise a kg for the service between Bangalore and Mysore, and Rs. 1.5 a kg between Bangalore and Chennai.

The charges for Logistics Post will be based on weight as well as volume of goods and may vary with each consignment depending on the nature of the goods. Octroi, toll tax, service tax and demurrage will be charged extra.The minimum chargeable weight is 50 kg., but there is no upper weight limit. If the consignee books more than one article/piece addressed to the same consignor, it will be treated as one consignment, a senior official of the Postal Department official explained.

Insurance is compulsory for the service with a premium rate of 0.12 per cent of the declared value of non-fragile goods (0.20 per cent in the case of fragile goods) or actual value, whichever is less. Insurance will commence from the time of booking till the time of delivery to the consignee or up to seven days from the date of delivery, whichever occurs first.

In case of loss, the consignor or the consignee has to contact the nearest office of Oriental Insurance for survey. The fee for the survey has to be borne by the consignor or the consignee as the case may be. The claim will be admissible to the extent of the declared value or the actual value, whichever is less.

Logistics Post will only accept consignments with proper package. Articles prohibited for transmission through post will not be accepted for transmission through Logistics Post, the official said.

As part of value addition, Logistics Post offers pick up, loading, door delivery and storage of goods before despatch/delivery at a nominal cost.

The Department of Posts will also shortly tie up with private airlines to meet the expectations of customers for fast, safe and reliable Speed Post service, the official said.

It is currently dependant on Indian Airlines and the Railways for the linkage.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail