The minister of state for IT and Communications, Killi Kruparani has said that as many as 12000 post offices across the country would be computerized soon. She has also said that another 5000 post offices would be upgraded. She has also said that an ATMs would be set up at all post offices within an year-and-half from now.

The observers said that in case post offices go online and offer even ATM services, India Post would easily go miles and become a tough competitor to many nationalized banks. People will throng post offices to open accounts and companies too may start crediting employees salaries to India Post, they opined.

(AW Phani)