The Goa Division of India Post (IP) plans to source and deliver Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) to customers in Goa. A box of two dozen mangoes would cost Rs 1,550 and orders placed till Saturday will be delivered on Monday at the customer’s doorstep. Last year IP delivered 400 dozen mangoes that generated about Rs one lakh in revenue. Is such a service available in other States?
One of the oldest and respected organisation, IP has been reduced to deliver mangoes to obtain income that may just be enough to pay one month salary to 2 or 3 postmen/women. Presently there is a shortage of delivery persons and those working (permanent, contract) are burdened with daily delivery of letters, speed post documents, parcels etc. Now they will be tasked with lugging and delivering boxes of mangoes by climbing stairs in building with no elevators.
Is IP or the delivery person responsible if customers complain about damaged/rotten/less mangoes in a box? Goa Division has/is sourcing Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri, why not other well-known varieties from other States? Hope IP does not become a carrier of seasonal fruits and vegetables, just for a small annual income, forgetting its core mandate of postal delivery and related services.
