PA Exam Materials - Examination point of view - 15

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LOGISTICS POST (General Description):
• Operates between two fixed stations/cities.
• Transmits any material other than prohibited items.
• Consignment must be packed and addressed to an individual consignee.
• Minimum chargeable weight: 50 kg.
• No upper weight limit.
• Multiple articles/pieces for one consignee treated as one consignment.
• Insurance facility is available (optional).
• Warehousing facility offered as a Value Added Service.
• Minimum charge: ₹50 plus a Docket charge of ₹100.
• Charges include delivery and pick-up.
• Tariff based on weight and volume: 10 cubic feet (or part thereof) equals 50 kg.
• Every additional cubic foot (or part thereof) treated as 5 kg.
• Octroi/Toll Tax, Storage, and demurrage charges are additional.
• Loading and unloading are free up to 500 kg.
• Above 500 kg, loading/unloading charges are ₹1000 per ton separately.

FEATURES OF LOGISTICS POST:
• FTL and LTL Services: 
o Customers can send consignments as Full Truck Load (FTL) or Less than a Truck Load (LTL).
o Flexible and convenient for single or multiple parcels.
• Special Network: Uses a dedicated network for carrying and delivering packages and consignments nationwide.
• Multi-modal Transport: Consignments transported by road, rail, or air based on customer requirements.
• Logistics Post Centres: Exclusive centres established across the country for transmission and distribution needs.
• Warehousing Services: Storage options available for consignments before dispatch or delivery.
• Fulfilment Services: 
o Order processing and order management solutions offered.
o Takes a "whole of business" approach to logistics.
o Provides 'pick and pack' facilities based on specific customer needs.
o Each consignment packed with specific goods as desired.
• Reverse Logistics: Return services are available under Logistics Post.

ePost:
• Introduction: Introduced in 2004 to bridge the digital divide by making email benefits accessible to everyone.
• Features: 
o Send and receive e-messages without sender/addressee needing a computer or internet.
o Use e-post prepaid cards via www.indiapost.nic.in to send emails to a Post Office for physical delivery by the postman.
o Suitable for multiple letters/communications, interview letters, notices.
o Accepts messages in any language (scanned before transmission).
o Tariff: ₹10 per A4 page.
o Tariff (Prepaid Users): ₹6 per A4 page.
o Internet cafes can offer this service.
• Extended Features: 
1. Many to one: Send the same ePost message from multiple senders to one recipient's email inbox. 
 Charges: ₹5 per A4 page (1st sender), ₹5 per attachment (up to 1 MB), ₹5 for each subsequent sender.
2. One to many: Send the same ePost message from one sender to multiple recipients' email inboxes. 
 Charges: ₹5 per A4 page (first 10 recipients), ₹5 per attachment (up to 1 MB), ₹5 for each subsequent recipient (11th to 20th).
• Reach: Send messages to any address in India via electronic transmission and physical delivery through the post office network (over 1,55,000 offices).
• Tariff Summary: 
o ePost: ₹10 per A4 page.
o ePost Corporate: ₹6 per A4 page.
• ePost – Booking: 
o Use the "Text Messages" link under Services.
o Enter text and subject (or copy-paste).
o Enter receiver details and PIN code to find the Delivery PO name.
o Amount to be collected is displayed.
o Print receipt for the customer.
o Confirm booking after successful printing.
• ePost – Printing: 
o Select the office and message.
o Click "Print".
o Confirm successful printing.

POPSK: POST OFFICE PASSBOOK SEVA KENDRA:
• MoU Duration: 72 months (retrospective from 01.01.2017), may be extended.
• Infrastructure: DOP provides 300-1000 sq ft space. MEA pays ₹3 lakhs infrastructure charges per site.
• Staffing: DOP provides 2 officials (Pay Level-4, ₹2400 grade pay) and one leave reserve PA per POPSK.
• Working Days: 5 days per week (8.5 hours per day).
• Commission: MEA pays DOP ₹330 per Passport processing (quarterly).
• Current Status: 491 POPSKs functioning across India and Union Territories.

SOVEREIGN GOLD BOND:
• Introduction: Introduced by the Government of India in 2015 under the Gold Monetization Scheme.
• Issuer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India.
• Purpose: Alternative to physical gold.
• Availability: Notified and available in tranches periodically.
• Initial Issue: Sale from 05.11.2015 to 20.11.2015.
• Initial Issue Price: ₹2684 per gram of Gold.
• Purchase Options: Single, Joint, and on behalf of a minor (by guardian). Nomination facility available.
• Denomination: Multiples of 1 Gram, with a minimum of 1 Gram.
• Nominal Value: In Indian Rupees, based on the simple average closing price of 999 purity gold (published by IBJA) for the last 3 business days 1 preceding the subscription period.   
• Authorized Sellers: All Head Post Offices.
• Limit of Purchase: 
o Minimum: 1 Gram.
o Maximum: 4 Kgs per Financial year per person (self-declaration) and Hindu Undivided Family.
o Maximum: 20 Kgs for Trusts.
• Mode of Payment: Cash, DD/Cheque (after realization).
• Tenor of the Bond: 8 years.
• Premature Redemption: Allowed after 5 years (5th, 6th, 7th year).
• Rate of Interest: 2.5% per annum, payable half-yearly to the investor's bank account (on the initial investment value).
• Taxation: Interest on the Sovereign Gold Bond is taxable.
• Other Features: 
o Redemption price based on the previous week's simple average closing price of 999 purity gold (IBJA).
o Post Offices can sell directly or use SAS agents (commission @ 0.5% for agents).
o SGBs can be used as collateral security for loans.