The IT Project Phase-II is expected to be completed by September 2012

[ The Government proposes to modernize and upgrade all the post offices across the country. In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, the Department of Telecommunications has an approved project for Computerization & Networking of post offices (upto double handed level). Under this project 12604 post offices have been computerized and the process for computerization of the rest of the double handed post offices and networking them is under progress.

The Department has proposed its IT Project Phase-II with an overall outlay of Rs.1877.2 crores to be incurred in the FY 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 (upto September 2012). The project envisages building up of a comprehensive IT solution for all the operations in a Post Office, Postal, Banking, Insurance, Retail operations and the required infrastructure for the computerization and networking of all the post offices in the country.

The Department has also launched Project Arrow in identified post offices for upgrading the “core operational areas and “look and feel” of Post Offices for modernisation of Post Offices in the country. So far 1,000 Post Offices from 22 Postal Circles have been upgraded and modernised under the scheme. Another 510 post offices across the country are being covered in 2010-11.

330.47 crores has been utilized for computerization of 12604 post offices and funds to the extent of Rs. 146 crores has been utilised for covering post offices under Project Arrow. During 2010-11 Rs. 84 crores has been earmarked for Project Arrow, in mostly rural and semi-urban areas. Total outlay proposed for Department’s IT project Phase-II is Rs. 1877.2 Crores. Rural ICT solution is proposed for electronically linking of all rural post offices under the project proposal. The solution would provide for supply of appropriate rural ICT devices, rural connectivity & applications to rural population for services including postal, saving bank, postal life insurance and other related operations including MGNREGA wage distribution.

The IT Project Phase-II is expected to be completed by September 2012. Subject to availability of Plan Funds, departmental post offices will be covered under Project Arrow in a phased manner.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology, Shri Sachin Pilot in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.