Locals in suburban Ghatkopkar have launched an agitation as well as a signature campaign to highlight the hardships faced by people after the closure of a post office branch in the area and demanded that it be re-opened.
In a letter to Chief Post Master General (CPMG), affected citizens demanded disciplinary action against officers concerned for the closure of the post office branch, which was shut down after merging it with Ghatkopar Post Office in 2007 citing it as "unprofitable".
Rajesh Nakhua, a local resident, who pursued the closure of the post offices via varied RTI queries with the postal department, was told that the decision to close the branch was taken in a haste.
"Various RTIs have found that closing of the Post Office in Madhav kunj building in Ghatkopar (W) in 2007 was taken in a hurry, without seeking the required permission from the higher ups. Apart from earning sufficient revenue for the department, that branch was helping locals all the way," Nakhua claimed showing the RTI documents.
He also alleged that this decision was taken to benefit a builder who wanted to redevelop the building.
"The decision to close down this office was orchestrated by a few insiders of the department only who were hand-in glove with the developer and worked at the builder's behest," Nakhua alleged adding he has written about this to the CPMG with a hope to restore operations.
"If Madhavkunj building branch is re-opened, then it would be a welcome move for lakhs of people living in several areas like Bhatwadi, Kama Galli, KhodGalli, Jeevdaya Lane, GopalGalli, Gandhi Nagar, DoshiWadietc as currently they have to walk at least 3-4 kilometers to avail the postal services," the letter to CPMG read.
Another resident Parag N Chandra said, "we still can not believe that the branch has been shut down because it was reportedly not yielding profit. How can India Post be so insensitive by following profit motive ethics."
He also said that local residents have launched a signature campaign and it would be submitted to the higher authorities of the department.
"Through our signature campaign, we are demanding to initiate an inquiry and take action against those who conspired to close down the branch in the said building," said a senior citizen, seeking annonymity.
When contacted, a senior postal official said that anything can be said only after an inquiry into the case, as it is very old.
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