Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 12: India Post, which has been chosen as a `model department' with regard to computerisation in central government establishments by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, is marching ahead in computerisation of all its operations largely through in-house software.The unique feature of the computerisation efforts of the Department of Posts (DoP) is its reliance on its own custom built indigenous software, AK Bhaumik, chief post master general-Kerala said.
Bhaumik, who heads the third most computerised postal circle in the country after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, said that a number of post offices have been identified for total computerisation in Kerala.
An indigenous software developed by India Post called `Meghadhoot 98' is being widely used in the head post offices to take care of counter transactions, delivery, treasury and accounts. The saving bank (SB) accounts operations are being computerised with the help of a new software called `Sanchaya Post'. The Sanchaya Post, to be launched shortly in the Kerala circle, integrates counter operations with validation of transaction online, ledger maintenance and agreement of records for all banking transactions, Bhaumik added.
India Post has also found solutions for Y2K compliance. Kerala will soon have the third highest number of PC-based multipurpose counter machines (182) - Maharashtra is on top with 293 and Tamil Nadu second with 202 PC-based machines. In March 1999, average number of transactions per machine in Kerala circle was 3,807, the third highest in India well above the national average of 3,290, Chief PMG added.
As many as 10 head post offices in the state have been identified for total computerisation while 11 more PC-based multi-purpose counter machines will be installed in the circle. The computerisation of Post Life Insurance section began from November 1994 and master data in respect of all policies have been fed into the computer.
The Rural Postal Life Insurance has also been computerised. Computerised registration centres have been established in major cities which is expected to speed up the disposal of registered articles and make the system more efficient, Bhaumik said.
VSAT centres for transmission of satellite money orders have been upgraded and shifted to a new satellite MO software version 3.0 since April this year in the state.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.