Postal ATMs to remain operational in Odisha during COVID-19 lockdown

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Apr 2, 2020 at 4:35 PM

Bhubaneswar: In view of nationwide lockdown against COVID-19 outbreak, all the ATMs under Odisha Postal Circle will remain functional for hassle-free cash withdrawal during pandemic situation.

“We have directed to activate all the ATMs under Odisha Postal Circle to facilitate our customers to withdraw money during lockdown,” informed Subash Chandra Barmma, Chief PMG, Odisha Circle.

India Post helps nonagenarian Odisha woman open pension a/c at doorstep

COVID-19: Lockdown announced in this Odisha district till August 14

Briefing a presser today, Barmma said that the postal customers in rural and tribal-infested regions are withdrawing cash through hand held device.

“More than Rs 3 crore cash has been withdrawn through Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) last week. We have provided facility to more than 1 crore people to withdraw and deposit the cash at post offices during lockdown,” he said.

The India Post is focusing on providing cash withdrawal facility at the counters during the period of lockdown.

“By March 31, total Rs 155 crore cash has been withdrawn and Rs 57 crore has been deposited in saving accounts of India Post in Odisha since lockdown,” the official said adding that the customers can withdraw cash by visiting personally to the post offices or counters during national lockdown.

Despite restrictions on many services including transport and movement of vehicles, the postal services are no way disrupted due to COVID-19 lockdowm.

“All the postal regions in Odisha are functional. We are delivering and receiving the mails through a special mail motor services across the state,” he said.

Speaking on consignment delivery through India Post service, Barmma said that parcels containing medicines are being dispatched to the addressees on time.

Moreover, special arrangements have been made to deliver the medicines during the lockdown.

“The medicines weighing uoto 250 kg including 52 ventilators will reach Bhubaneswar shortly from Chennai via Kolkata. The consignment will be delivered to Odisha State Medical Corporation through a special road transport network within two days,” he told media.