New Delhi: CPM Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, urging the Centre to retain the Mavelikkara Postal Division as an independent entity and to conduct a comprehensive review of proposed postal division mergers and sub-division reductions across Kerala.

In his letter, Brittas highlighted that the reported plan to merge the Mavelikkara division has triggered "considerable apprehension among postal employees and the public."

Stressing the evolving scope of the postal network, Brittas emphasised that the Department of Posts' role "extends far beyond conventional mail delivery" to savings and financial services, insurance, pensions, Speed Post, parcels and DBT-related services, adding that in rural and semi-urban areas, the Post Office "remains one of the most accessible institutions of the Union Government."

Widespread impact across Kerala

The restructuring exercise reportedly envisions several key consolidations:

  • Mavelikkara Division: Proposed merger with an adjoining division.

  • Thalassery: Proposed merger with Kannur.

  • Tirur: Proposed merger with Manjeri.

  • Ottapalam: Proposed merger with Palakkad.

  • Vadakara: Proposed merger with Kozhikode.

  • Aluva: Proposed merger with Ernakulam.

The MP noted that these measures, along with a "substantial reduction in Postal Sub-Divisions," demand extreme caution. "Changes of this magnitude warrant particular care in a State such as Keralam, with its distinctive geography, dense settlement pattern and extensive postal network," he stated.

Concerns over staffing and service access

While the department evaluates administrative units using parameters such as workload, population, geography, terrain, travel time, and supervisory needs, Brittas cautioned against over-relying on demographic metrics. "It is therefore important that no single parameter, particularly population, should determine the future distribution of Divisions, Sub-Divisions and sanctioned manpower," he noted.

The Parliamentarian warned that the move could trigger a withdrawal or redeployment of sanctioned posts across various cadres—including Group-B, Inspector/Assistant Superintendent, Postal Assistant, Postman/Mail Overseer, and MTS. He argued that expanding administrative jurisdictions would hamper supervision and grievance redressal, warning that consolidation "should not become the first step towards increasing the physical distance between citizens and their neighbourhood Post Offices, particularly in rural areas and for elderly persons, pensioners and small savers."

Touching upon broader policy concerns, Brittas noted that a population-heavy distribution model mirrors southern states' anxieties regarding future parliamentary delimitation. "If administrative units and sanctioned manpower are similarly redistributed principally on population considerations, it could create a perception that the demographic weight of states is progressively determining the distribution of national institutions and public employment," he asserted, while calling for transparency regarding "the precise criteria, data and methodology underlying the proposed restructuring."

The case for Mavelikkara

Making a direct plea for Mavelikkara, Brittas pointed out that the division currently oversees two Head Post Offices, three MDGs, 50 Sub Post Offices, two Delivery Centres, and 73 Branch Post Offices across three sub-divisions.

Citing the department's own guidelines that list 50 Sub Post Offices as "an indicative benchmark for a Postal Division," Brittas stated: "Mavelikkara, with 50 Sub Post Offices in addition to its other establishments, therefore deserves to be carefully assessed for retention as an independent Division in accordance with the Department's own parameters of workload, geographical spread, accessibility and supervisory requirements."

"I therefore request your kind personal intervention to ensure that Mavelikkara Postal Division is retained as a separate Division with its existing three Postal Sub-Divisions," Brittas concluded, appealing for a complete freeze and review on division mergers until all factors are reassessed. (PTI)