NAPE Seeks Solar Power Systems and Government Premises for Post Offices to Reduce Costs

Postal Employees’ Association Seeks Solar Power and Government Premises for Post Offices

The National Association of Postal Employees (NAPE), Group “C” (affiliated to INTUC and FNPO) has submitted a representation seeking central-level policy initiatives to reduce administrative expenditure and improve infrastructure for the Department of Posts.

Download NAPE Proposes Solar Power and Government Premises for Post Offices in PDF

The representation, dated 30 September 2026, was addressed to Shri Sivaji Vasireddy, Secretary General, FNPO, New Delhi, by Pradeep Vashistha, Regional Secretary, Southern Region, Ajmer.

Two Major Policy Proposals

The representation focuses on two key initiatives:

1. Installation of Solar Power Systems

The association has proposed mandatory installation of rooftop solar power systems in all departmental-owned Post Office buildings.

According to the representation, departmental buildings currently incur substantial electricity expenditure. A centralized solar installation policy is proposed to reduce dependence on grid electricity and generate long-term savings.

The proposal also highlights the importance of reliable electricity for core banking, IPPB and IT operations, stating that solar power backup could help reduce operational disruptions caused by power outages. The detailed proposal is outlined on page 2 of the representation.

2. Relocation of Rented Post Offices to Government Buildings

The association has also proposed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with State Governments to make suitable government buildings available for Post Office operations.

The suggested locations include:

• Gram Panchayat Bhawans
• Municipal buildings
• Municipal Corporation buildings
• Other civic administrative complexes

The objective is to reduce dependence on privately rented premises and thereby address recurring rental expenditure, lease renewals and related disputes.

Benefits Highlighted in the Representation

The proposal identifies several potential benefits of shifting Post Offices to government premises:

Reduction in rental expenditure:

Moving Post Offices from private rented buildings to government-owned or government-provided premises could reduce recurring rental costs and associated legal expenses.

Single-window citizen service centres:

Co-locating Post Offices with Panchayat and civic administrative complexes could create integrated service locations where citizens can access postal services along with services such as IPPB banking, Aadhaar and government welfare schemes.

Relief for Branch Postmasters:

The representation specifically highlights the difficulties faced by Branch Postmasters (BPMs) in finding rented accommodation and managing landlord negotiations and lease-related matters. Government-provided premises could address these issues.

Improved public amenities:

The representation also calls for basic amenities such as proper sanitation and toilets, clean drinking water, adequate ventilation and accessibility facilities, including ramps. It states that government premises could provide a safer and more suitable working environment for employees and visiting citizens.

Request for Central-Level Policy Formulation

The association has requested the union leadership to take up both proposals with the Postal Directorate and the Ministry of Communications for consideration and central-level policy formulation.

The representation states that the proposed measures are aimed at revenue protection, long-term expenditure control, improved working conditions for employees and enhanced services for the public.

Key Takeaway

The representation puts forward a two-pronged infrastructure strategy for the Department of Posts:

Solarisation of departmental buildings + greater use of government premises for Post Offices = proposed reduction in recurring operational expenditure and improved infrastructure.

The document is a representation/proposal, not an announcement of an approved government policy.

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