NUPE Appeals to Communications Minister for Ethical Business Development and Employee-Friendly Reforms in India Post
NUPE Appeals to Communications Minister for Ethical Business Development and Employee-Friendly Reforms in India Post
The National Union of Postal Employees (NUPE) – Postmen & Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), Group 'C', affiliated with the Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO), has submitted a detailed representation to Union Minister for Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia seeking policy reforms to restore the service-oriented character of the Department of Posts, promote ethical business development, and strengthen India Post through innovation and digital transformation.
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Appreciates Modernization Initiatives
At the outset, NUPE appreciated the modernization initiatives undertaken during the Minister's previous tenure, particularly Project Arrow, which improved post office infrastructure and customer service. The Union also welcomed the introduction of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) platform, stating that the transition from the earlier SAP-based system to an in-house technology platform has enhanced operational efficiency and self-reliance.
Concern Over Target-Driven Culture
The Union expressed concern that the Department has gradually shifted from its traditional "Dak Seva, Jan Seva" philosophy towards an increasingly target-driven approach focused on business figures, profitability, and the Expenditure Coverage Ratio (ECR). According to NUPE, these parameters are now influencing office viability assessments and even staff deployment decisions.
Unrealistic Business Targets on Frontline Employees
The representation states that Postmen, Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), Postal Assistants (PA), and Sub Postmasters (SPM) are already fully engaged with their sanctioned operational duties. Expecting them to simultaneously function as marketing executives without reducing their existing workload or creating dedicated marketing manpower is neither practical nor sustainable.
NUPE further alleged that employees often face pressure to achieve ambitious business targets, including:
Opening savings accounts using their own or family members' names.
Depositing personal funds to keep accounts active.
Purchasing Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) policies using their own money.
Achieving approximately ₹3 lakh in annual insurance business along with nearly 400 net account openings per employee in many cases.
Population-Based Targets Termed Unscientific
The Union argued that fixing account-opening targets solely based on the population served by a post office is unrealistic. It noted that every locality includes children, students, unemployed persons, homemakers, senior citizens, and individuals already banking with commercial institutions, making the entire population an unsuitable basis for business targets. It recommended that targets should instead reflect actual market potential, banking penetration, customer preferences, and local economic conditions.
Need for Product Innovation and Digital Transformation
The representation highlights that India Post faces stiff competition from banks offering fully digital services and innovative financial products. NUPE observed that:
Few new investment products have been introduced under the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB).
No major new schemes have been launched recently under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI).
Customers still need to visit post offices before accessing online banking services, unlike many commercial banks that provide end-to-end digital account opening.
The Union urged the Department to introduce innovative savings, investment, insurance, pension, and wealth-creation products supported by seamless digital services to improve competitiveness.
Concern Over Employee Well-being
NUPE also referred to two recent incidents involving the alleged suicides of frontline postal employees in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, stating that these incidents have raised serious concerns regarding workplace stress and the manner in which business targets are pursued. While acknowledging that the competent authorities will determine the facts, the Union called for compassionate policy interventions to protect employee dignity and mental well-being.
Key Recommendations Submitted by NUPE
The Union requested the Department to consider the following reforms:
Prohibit coercion, intimidation, humiliation, or unethical practices in achieving business targets.
Ensure that no employee is compelled to invest personal funds or create artificial business merely to meet targets.
Review the current net account opening system and adopt realistic, scientific, region-specific targets.
Introduce innovative customer-oriented products under POSB, PLI, and RPLI.
Strengthen digital banking, online investment, and end-to-end digital customer services.
Establish a dedicated and professionally trained marketing cadre instead of assigning marketing responsibilities to operational staff.
Formulate employee-friendly policies that protect the dignity, welfare, and mental well-being of postal employees while promoting sustainable business growth.
Conclusion
Concluding the representation, NUPE reaffirmed its commitment to the Department's long-standing motto, "Dak Seva, Jan Seva," and expressed confidence that under the Union Minister's leadership, India Post can balance its commercial objectives with its historic public service mission. The Union urged the Government to ensure that future business growth is driven by innovation, modern products, digital transformation, and customer satisfaction, rather than by pressure on frontline employees.