No core banking services in Gujarat post offices

The lack of infrastructure and computerization has ensured that the state will have to wait for some more time before implementing the Core Banking Services (CBS) in the postal department.

The postal department has already launched the pilot project in six states -Aasam, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

But the same could not be launched in Gujarat due to lack of computerization at post offices in the state. A source in the department said the department had earlier decided to launch the CBS pilot project in several states including Gujarat.

"But earlier this year, Gujarat was deleted from the list as it lacked the infrastructure for the same," said sources. In the six selected states the project is being launched phase-wise. "If successful it will then be replicated across the country," said the source. 

As part of its IT modernisation programme, the Indian postal department had introduced a centralised CBS with alternate delivery channels facilitating anytime anywhere banking.
Officials said the work to implement CBS is in progress and the project will soon be implemented in Gujarat.

The postal department has approximately 20 crore savings accounts across India. The core banking service will enable people living in distant places to get access to banking services through post offices.