The senior citizens in this Covid pandemic times are put to a great disadvantage and at the risk of infections in a public place by the postal authorities with Margao post office new dictat to submit in person claims and withdrawals. Why are deposits also not accepted in person to discourage benami transactions? Have the postal authorities imposed these unwarranted restrictions to discourage investments in postal schemes? If the Post doubts the integrity, credibility of agents whom investors trust, then terminate them. Agents must provide important services too and not merely canvass new business. Claims and withdrawals for those elderly senior citizens are a vital need. Is this so called precautionary measure exclusively for the head post office or the apprehension extended in general, without sanction of the authority? Frequent visits on maturity, withdrawals are costly as public transport for senior citizens is undesirable and also very scarce. Issue crossed cheques to confirm authenticity, utilise NEFT mode, or check on mobiles as a double precaution the authencity of messenger. Restrictions on cash transactions upto a defined limit is reasonable but not a blanket ban. The answer to issue of cheques is that it will take time.
The Margao Post office is constantly in the news due to new unauthiorised fads of some over-cautious individuals.
The Superintendent of Posts needs to publicly declare the clause of messenger services even for approved submission of due claims or issue cheques in all cases over certain amounts and for those who desire as it ensures safety and stops harassment of being present in person. Unless there is variation of signatures or reasonable doubt, red flags should not be raised and actions taken beyond authority.
