Courier industry to create pressure groups to counter government restriction

More than 500 representatives of various courier companies assembled in Rajkot on Sunday, with an objective to brainstorm their survival against the recent policy likely to be slammed on the trade, hence jerking their existence.

Ram Mokaria of Maruti Couriers and president of Federation of Indian Couriers Association (FICA), told Business Standard, "According to the new policy, the government is likely to bring amendment in the existing bill, wherein courier trade will not be allowed to pick a document below 300 grams, this will kill the entire trade as we are already contributing Rs 1,000 crore plus towards the nation's tax structure."

Secretary of CCASK, Jitu Vyas while talking to Business Standard, said, "The meeting had been called to chalk out future strategic move and to create pressure groups in five zones "" Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Mehsana and Rajkot. We are appealing our trade representatives to strengthen the force in their respective areas by forming associations at taluka and district levels, make presentations on the issues and explain the concerned political and business entities about the importance of the courier service."

If nothing works out, then we would give a call of Bandh and an indefinite strike would be the final weapon that we would resort to, if required, he added.

This policy is being brought to revive the Post & Telegraph (P&T) department, which according to government is registering losses of Rs 1000 crore per annum, but practically one needs to understand that courier trade, which has grown on its own without expecting or anticipating any support from the government either in centre or in state, has today already crossed annual turnover mark of Rs 10,000 crore and plays a major role in the nation's economy, added Mokaria.

President of the Courier & Cargo Association of Saurashtra-Kutch (CCASK), Mahendra Goswami of Origin Courier said, "Today this industry provides direct or indirect employment opportunity to 20 lakh people across the nation, so this industry comprising of skilled and semi-skilled work-force is helpful in supporting 20 lakh families, than why is the government slamming such a tyrant laws."

In Gujarat alone, the annual business turnover of courier trade is registered at the tune of around Rs 600 crore and is generating employment opportunity to 50,000 people.

With 1,50,000 post offices in the country there are about 6,00,000 employees working, so government should seriously think about the impact before imposing any decision, he added.

Mokaria said, "Government is planning to set up Mail Regulatory Development Authority (MRDA) and we at this juncture strongly advocate a person who is well-versed with the courier trade in the MRDA committee. Secondly, we will not entertain the acceptance of documents above 300 gram law and finally we oppose the turnover tax slammed on our trade, as we have been paying service tax, professional tax and income tax."